GUSAU, Nigeria – Eight National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members were kidnapped in Zamfara State while en route to Sokoto State for their year-long national service.
The unfortunate incident happened as they traveled in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company, AKTC, bus, originating from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to an insider from the transport company, who opted for anonymity, the bus contained 11 corps members and a driver at the time of the interception by the armed gunmen.
Fortunately, three of the corps members managed to escape, leaving the remaining eight and the driver at the mercy of their abductors.
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He mentioned, “The attackers ushered the passengers out of the bus and herded them into the nearby bushes. The police have since located and recovered the abandoned bus.”
The incident has been officially reported to the appropriate authorities and security agencies for action.
Social media was alight with concerns for the kidnapped individuals.
A Facebook post on Sunday, August 20, 2023, by Malachy Blessed identified one of the kidnapped members as Emmanuel Esudue, who graduated from the Akwa Ibom State University with a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering.
Since Thursday, attempts to reach Esudue through his phone have been unsuccessful.
Another abducted corps member, Betty Udofia, was mentioned by Edidiong Richard in a Facebook post.
The kidnappers have reportedly contacted Ms. Udofia’s family, demanding a ransom of N4 million for her release.
Another Facebook user said their niece, Victoria Udoka, who studied Mass Communication at the University of Uyo, was among those kidnapped.
The plea for her release was accompanied by a call to action for anyone with ties to the Akwa Ibom State Government House to intervene.
The abduction of these NYSC members has highlighted the rising insecurity in the region and the urgent need for improved security measures.
