Gunmen Abduct 8 Graduates Heading To NYSC Camp In Zamfara

At least eight graduates who were on their way to Sokoto for their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation program have been abducted by gunmen.

Eddy Megwa, the Director of Press at the NYSC headquarters, stated that the abducted graduates were travelling at night to their designated orientation camp when the gunmen ambushed their vehicle on the outskirts of Zamfara.

The victims were passengers on an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus, travelling from Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom, to Sokoto state for their one-year national service when the incident occurred.

Three passengers on the bus managed to escape, while the remaining eight were captured by the gunmen. Megwa also disclosed that the Director-General of the NYSC is presently in Zamfara, collaborating with security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abducted graduates.

“It happened on Saturday just before Gusau road in Zamfara. Two days ago when the director-general heard about it, he relocated to Zamfara to work with the security agencies trying to secure their release.

“He’s also in touch with the families of the prospective corps members. We’re hoping that, in no time, they would be released.

“The issue is that we have always been against night travel. It is risky and wrong. Their call-up letter specifically says that they should rest and continue the next day once it gets dark during their trips. Times are bad. Even we as officers stop our trips once it’s 6pm.

“We feel so bad for what the corps members are going through. We assure the public that, with the DG’s intervention, we will secure their release.”