In a heart-wrenching episode that underscores the persistent security challenges in Nigeria, eight corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were recently abducted by armed bandits in Zamfara State.
The young graduates, who had embarked on their journey full of hope and anticipation for the service year ahead, suddenly found themselves thrust into a nightmare of fear and uncertainty.
The corps members were traveling from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State for their mandatory national service when their bus was ambushed on a highway. The attackers forced them off the bus, leading them into the dense forest, where they were held captive. Despite their desperate situation, three of the corps members managed to escape, but the remaining eight were taken deeper into the bush, their fate hanging in the balance.
The harrowing experience of these young Nigerians has gripped the nation, with families and citizens anxiously waiting for news of their release. In the days following the kidnapping, Brig. Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, the Director General of NYSC, has been on the ground in Zamfara, coordinating efforts with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and the military brigade to secure their safe return.
One of the released corps members, speaking to the media, expressed gratitude for the government’s intervention but was visibly shaken and unable to recount the full ordeal, a testament to the trauma endured. The incident has reignited debates about the safety of corps members, especially in volatile regions, and calls for more robust security measures to protect them during their service year.
As the search and rescue operations continue, this tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to address insecurity in Nigeria, not just for the sake of NYSC members, but for all citizens.
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The nation watches with bated breath, hoping for the safe return of these young men and women who represent the future of Nigeria.
