Eight members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were kidnapped by armed gunmen on Saturday night while travelling to Sokoto State for their orientation camp. The victims were travelling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when they were ambushed by the assailants near Gusau Road in Zamfara State.
Three other passengers in the bus managed to escape, while the driver was also taken hostage by the kidnappers. The identities and whereabouts of the abducted corps members are still unknown, as no ransom demand or contact has been made by the perpetrators.
The NYSC has confirmed the incident and said that its director-general, YD Ahmed, has relocated to Zamfara to work with the security agencies to secure the release of the captives. He is also in touch with the families of the prospective corps members and assured them of his intervention.
The NYSC spokesperson, Eddy Megwa, condemned the abduction and advised against night travel for corps members. He said that their call-up letter specifically instructs them to rest and continue their journey the next day once it gets dark. He also expressed sympathy for what the corps members are going through and hoped that they would be freed soon.
The abduction of NYSC members is not an isolated case, as Zamfara State has been plagued by insecurity and banditry for years. The state government has imposed a curfew and suspended telecommunications services in 14 local government areas to curb the activities of the criminals. However, this has not deterred the gunmen from attacking innocent civilians and security personnel.
The federal government has also deployed troops and air force jets to combat the bandits and rescue the kidnapped victims. President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to end the menace of banditry and terrorism in the country and restore peace and stability.
