Eight graduates travelling to Sokoto for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp have been kidnapped by suspected gunmen.
ONIFTV gathered that the victims were travelling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom, to Sokoto state for their one-year national service when the incident happened.
It was also learned that three of the passengers in the bus escaped while the remaining eight were seized by the gunmen.
Confirming the incident to our correspondent on Tuesday, the Director of Press at the NYSC Headquarters, Eddy Megwa, said the abducted graduates were travelling at night to their designated orientation camp when they were kidnapped by gunmen.
She stated that the suspected bandits waylaid the vehicle of the victims on the outskirts of Zamfara, adding that the Director-General of the NYSC is in Zamfara to work with security agencies and secure their release.
She said: “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 6 pm.
“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.”