By Mercy Aikoye
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-General Yush’au Ahmed says efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the reaming five prospective corps members abducted in Zamfara.
Ahmed made this known at an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development on Thursday in Abuja.
He explained that of the eight prospective corps members abducted in August 2023 on their way to the orientation camp in Sokoto state, three had been released.
The DG said that all relevant security agencies are working in synergy with the traditional and religious leaders to secure the release of the remaining five.
“We are making efforts to see that we get the children out of captivity. From all the signs we are receiving, we are hopeful we will get them as soon as possible,” he said.
Ahmed said that the released corps members had been redeployed to the FCT and given proper medical attention.
The DG advised against traveling at night saying that it is against the safety tips given to all corps and prospective members.
Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Youth Development, Rep. Martins Esin (PDP-Akwa Ibom) said that the House is worried about the situation of the corps members.
” I am happy with the work so far done on the release of those still in captivity, I like the engagements with the sister agencies to secure them”.
“We are calling on all stakeholders to support the NYSC and ensure the security of lives and property of all corps members”.
“Continue to be on the top of the situation but if we noticed a derail, we will be the first to raise the red flag,” he said”.
The lawmaker urged the management of the Scheme to be proactive and come up with rehabilitation programmes to take care of trauma that Corp members may have suffered when released.
The chairman pledged that the committee will reconsider the bill on NYSC Trust Fund and apply the necessary motion to have it passed into law.
The committee resolved that the management of NYSC should visit the families of the victims and brief them on the efforts made so far.
