Two more abducted Akwa Ibom State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were kidnapped in Zamfara State on their way to the orientation camp in Sokoto State have been released.
Eddy Megwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, announced this in a statement on Thursday.
Chronicle NG had reported that barely four months after the eight graduates were abducted on their way to the NYSC orientation camp in Sokoto State, they had yet to be released.
According to reports, the gunmen kidnapped the fresh graduates on August 17 on a highway in Zamfara State.
The potential corps members were traveling to Sokoto State in an AKTC bus for the mandated youth service program for Nigerian graduates.
However, in a statement made on Thursday, the NYSC administration stated that two of the abducted potential corps members had been released.
According to Megwa, this indicates that four of the eight prospective corps members and the kidnapped driver would have been freed.
The statement partly read, “The Nigerian Army recently secured the release of male and female abductees, while efforts are seriously ongoing to ensure the safe release of the remaining four Prospective Corps members.”
It added that the NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Yush’au Ahmed, “hereby reassures the public, especially the parents of the remaining four abductees, that the scheme, in conjunction with security agencies, will explore every available strategy to ensure their release unhurt and reunite them with their families.
“NYSC management also wishes to appreciate the overwhelming support received from the Nigerian Army in its concerted efforts towards securing the release of the abducted prospective corps members,” Megwa added.
He reiterated the scheme’s dedication to fulfilling its mandate under the law to advance national unity and integration.
“The NYSC management also wishes to appreciate the overwhelming support received from the Nigerian Army in its concerted efforts towards securing the release of the abducted prospective corps members,” Megwa said.
He restated the scheme’s determination to remain resolute in its statutory responsibility of fostering national unity and integration.