Kidnap: NYSC appeals to security agencies to find missing officials

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has, on Friday, August 9, 2024, appealed to the governments and security agencies of Anambra and Imo States to urgently intervene in securing the release of two missing officials, who are suspected victims of kidnap.

The officials were identified as Mr. Okun Christopher, the NYSC State Coordinator for Akwa Ibom State, and his driver, Mr. Daniel Effiong.

They disappeared under mysterious circumstances suspected to be a case of kidnap.

The duo was traveling along Onitsha-Owerri Road on Monday, July 29, 2024, en route to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

They were reportedly in a white Hilux vehicle with registration number 27D31FG when they went missing.

The sudden disappearance of the officials has raised alarm within the NYSC, prompting an urgent call for action.

NYSC reacts to the kidnap

Reacting to the development, NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Eddy Megwa, released a statement on Friday and published on the official Facebook page of NYSC Akwa Ibom State.

In the statement, the scheme expressed deep concern over the incident.

Mr. Megwa urged security forces in Anambra and Imo States to see to the officials’ safe return.

“The Management of the National Youth Service Corps is appealing to the security agencies in Anambra and Imo States, as well as the two state governments, to do everything possible to secure the release of two NYSC officials who got missing on Monday, July 29, 2024, between Onitsha and Owerri road while on transit to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,” the statement reads.

Megwa also made a public plea for anyone with useful information regarding the whereabouts of the two officials to come forward.

He advised that such information should be relayed to law enforcement agencies in either Anambra or Imo State.

Other relevant agencies are any of the 37 NYSC State Secretariats and Area Offices.

Others are the National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja, or the nearest police station.

The suspected kidnap of the two officials has sparked widespread concern across the country.

Many Nigerians have expressed worries over the safety of NYSC officials and corps members, especially in high insecurity areas.

The situation surrounding the suspected kidnap remains tense as authorities work tirelessly for a possible rescue.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learnt that the scheme is gathering information, coordinating efforts to that effect.

NYSC encourages the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that could help in rescuing the missing officials.

About NYSC

General Yakubu Gowon founded the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on May 22, 1973.

The aim of the scheme was to unify the different tribes in the country and foster national integration.

Recent cases of kidnap amongst ‘youth corpers’ have, however, sparked concerns in some quarters.

Prospective Corps members (PCMs) receive postings to states other than their own to mix with people from different tribes and ethnic groups.

Eligible Nigerian graduates must register through the NYSC portal to partake in the program.

After registration, NYSC calls up the prospective corp members, who will then report to the orientation camps.

The orientation program is the first phase of the service year.

PCMs must attend a three-week regimented camp, away from everyday life and activities.

The camps are located across the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory (FCT).

Officials will swear in the PCMs during the first week of camping, making them full corp members.

At the end of the orientation program, the authorities will hold a passing out ceremony and then post the corp members to their places of primary assignments (PPAs).

The authorities require corp members to work full-time at their PPAs, except on Community Development Service (CDS) days.

To be eligible for the program, a graduate must not be over 30 years of age at the time of registration.

The scheme will issue an exemption letter to the graduate if they are over 30 years old.

Graduates are not qualified for employment until they have completed the mandatory service year.

What government must do

Governments at all levels have, meanwhile, be charged to stop the kidnap of these youngsters in order not to discourage the scheme.

On August 25, 2023, News Band reported that fifteen NYSC members from Akwa Ibom State en route to Sokoto State were kidnapped.

They were abducted in Zamfara State by Fulani bandits, who demanded ransom for their release.

Four months later, these young Nigerians were still languishing in kidnappers’ den,

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