Abducted Corps Members Will Be Freed Soon — NYSC DG

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Yush’au Ahmed, on Thursday, expressed hope the abducted corps members would be freed soon.

Ahmed gave this assurance at an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development.

Eight corps members were abducted by gunmen in August on their way to Sokoto State for the mandatory national service.

Parents of the victims had accused the scheme and relevant security agencies of being indifferent about the abduction of the corps members.

Appearing before the committee with his management team on Thursday, the NYSC DG noted that relevant security agencies were already teaming with the traditional and religious authorities maintaining that  “the synergy between the security agencies would work things out in a short time.”

Ahmed further noted that three of the eight kidnapped prospective corps members had been freed and transferred to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, after receiving the necessary medical care.

"We are making efforts to see that we get the children out of captivity. We are getting in touch with the bandits. From all the signs we are receiving, we are hopeful we will get them as soon as possible," he said.

The DG also implored corps members to avoid night trips, emphasising that such an act was against the safety direction issued by the scheme to NYSC members and prospective members.

On the welfare of corps members, Ahmed affirmed that plans were in place to increase their allowances, noting that it would be implemented after the announcement of the new minimum wage.