Corps Members Distressed Over Fate of Colleagues

AN atmosphere of despondency pervaded the passing out ceremony of Batch ‘B’ members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Rivers State following the non-release of five of their colleagues who were kidnapped by gunmen 12 days ago.

The corps members lamented recent events across the country, such as the post election violence, which have resulted in the death of participants of the scheme.

The abducted corps members: Yusuf Olamide, Chinonye Ejehu, Nkechi Uwaezi andVivian Ukwanya who were supposed to have concluded their national service last Thursday, were snatched two weeks ago at Omadebe community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, as they went to inspect a library they donated to a school as part of their community development project.

The victims were among 24 Batch ‘B’ corps members deployed to Community Secondary School Omadebe, for their primary assignment.

Barely 48 hours after they were abducted, their captors placed a phone call to their parents and relations, demanding the sum of N100 million as ransom.

An official of the NYSC in Ikwerre council, who pleaded anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to journalists, said the unknown gunmen also contacted the inspector of the scheme in the area, directing him to raise the money from the federal and the Rivers State government.

“The kidnappers have called and they are asking for N100 million as ransom. They are saying that N20 million must be paid for each of the corps members. They were even telling us to pay the money without delay, that delay is dangerous. I do not understand the meaning of that language, but I pray that nothing would happen to the corps members.”

When The Guardian visited the school, last Tuesday, their colleagues who have declined to teach unless they are released, had hoped and prayed fervently that their captors would let go of them before Thursday’s passing out ceremony. Unfortunately, this never happened.

Pained by the incident, the principal of the school, Theophilus Wagor, told The Guardian that Omadebe community is aggrieved and concerned about the safety of the victims who the school depends solely upon to teach its students.

The principal said academic activities at the school, which lacks sufficient teachers, has been adversely disrupted by the incident.

Scores of students who were supposed to be in class learning were seen playing football by 9:30 am due to the absence of the corps members.

Wagor who took The Guardian to the corps members’ lodge, explained that others serving in the school have refused to teach unless all their colleagues are released unhurt by the captors.

At the lodge, the corps members who have been barred from speaking to journalists by NYSC authorities expressed grave concern over their safety. Some were worried about leaving their lodge

A native of the community, who identified himself as Mr. Chijoke Amadi, said he is saddened by the incident and the negative publicity it has attracted to Omadebe community.

According to him, issue of kidnapping was unknown to people of the area. He said that he suspects the perpetrators may have come from neighbouring states.

“As you can see, we are a remote village. Our people are peace loving and we have always cherished strangers in our midst, particularly these NYSC members. Our community school depends mainly on them to support the teachers.

Because of the remoteness of this place, no teacher wants to be posted here. But the NYSC people do stay, and we love them for accepting us. We regret this dastardly act.”

A corps member told The Guardian that he is concerned about the future of the NYSC scheme if the spate of killings and kidnapping of corps members is not urgently addressed by relevant authorities.

Another decried the act of kidnapping of persons, particularly corps members on national assignment.

He said: “The kidnapping of corps members is very devastating and discouraging. It is unfortunate that the victims are supposed to be among our batch that is passing out on Thursday. In fact, we are also not happy with government because the federal, state and local government are not doing any thing serious to address the situation.”

-Guardian

wp_posts