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We’re making efforts to rescue kidnapped corps members – NYSC DG
Brig.-Gen. Yush’au Ahmed, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 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 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.
He urged strict adherence to all the safety tips issued by the scheme to prevent future occurrences.
Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Youth Development, Rep. Martins Esin said that the house is worried about the situation of the corps members.
He said that the interactive session was organised to get first hand information on the situation of the prospective corps members in captivity.
“I am happy, we are happy with the work so far done on the release of those still in captivity, I like the engagements with sister agencies to secure them.
“Based on the interaction we have had, I am certain in my spirit that these prospective corps members will be reunited with their families.
“We are calling on all stakeholders to support the NYSC ensure the security of lives and property of 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 proactively come up with rehabilitation programme to take care of trauma that they may have suffered when released.
He said that such programmes will support the victims to be properly reintegrated into the society.
Esin said that there is a need to strengthen the travel advice mechanism to enhance compliance.
“Before your camp, do your combing and raise flags so that corps members can know how to navigate going forward so these things do not happen again.
“We will give you the backing legislative wise to get this scheme forward, this is the best time to do so as we have a President that is a lover of youths and demonstrated in his appointments,” he said.
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 so far made.
The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has warned against obstructing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from carrying out its lawful duty .
Fagbemi’s warning is contained in a statement in Abuja.
“This is a matter of very grave concern, it is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigations into any matter, regardless of status.
“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC, but to honourably answer their invitation.
“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting’’.
He added that running away from the law will not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbate them.
“Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
“I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism.
“This can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world’’.
He said institutions of state should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.
“I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC, and indeed any other agency to order when there is an indication of any transgressions of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies’’.
NAN reports that the EFCC had on Wednesday warned members of the public that it was a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.
Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.
The warning , the EFCC said, became necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.
On several occasions, the anti graft agency said, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
Some unknown gunmen have kidnapped Joshua Rogers, the ChannelsTV reporter in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Politics Nigeria learnt that Rogers was picked up close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port Harcourt and to an unknown destination by the gunmen around 9pm on Thursday, April 11.
The reporter was driving his official ChannelsTV branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle.
Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened.
Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30million ransom for bis release.
His cameraman confirmed the incident and appealed to his abductors to set him free unconditionally.
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