NYSC To Give Automatic Certificate To Prospective Corps Member Who Spent One Year In Terrorists' Captivity In Zamfara

Brigadier General Y.D. Ahmed, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has stated that the rescued NYSC member, Solomon Daniel Bassey, who has endured a year-long ordeal in captivity, is now eligible for a certificate. 

The DG made this remark on Friday, while underscoring the extreme resilience required to survive such an experience.

The DG also provided details about the abduction, revealing that the victim was moved frequently between different locations by his captors. 

He confirmed that the mastermind behind the kidnapping had been killed, though no additional suspects had been apprehended as of now.

He said, “They were not kept in one place. They kept moving from location to location. 

“The actual culprit has been killed. He was the one who masterminded. To the best of my knowledge, no suspect was arrested for now.

“He (the rescued corps member) has undergone a service year. He is qualified for a certificate. What more service year than spending a year in the jungle.”

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the DG announced the rescue of the prospective corps member, Bassey, who was abducted in August 2023. 

The DG had stated this at a press briefing on Friday at the NYSC Headquarters, Abuja. 

"On August 22, we rescued the last corps member in a set of eight, Solomon Daniel Bassey," he had said. 

SaharaReporters had reported on August 23, 2023, that eight corps members were kidnapped by suspected terrorists on their way to camp in Zamfara State on Monday, August 21, 2023. 

The prospective corps members were travelling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State, for the one-year mandatory national service, when their vehicle was intercepted by the hoodlums.

Although there were reportedly 11 corps members and the driver in the bus, three of the corps members escaped during the attack.

The eight corps members were abducted alongside the driver.

Emmanuel Esudue, a graduate of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, from Akwa Ibom State University, and Victoria Udoka, a graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Uyo were among the young graduates who were kidnapped by the terrorists.

SaharaReporters also reported on August 24, that the Nigeria Police Force and the army had organised a search party for the kidnapped corps members.

The NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, had said one of the seven corps members was still in captivity. 

Titled: "Update on kidnapped prospective corps members: one released from captivity," the NYSC hadexpressed optimism that the rest of the abductees would be rescued and reunited with their families.