There was relief across Nigeria as last of eight Zamfara National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members was at the weekend rescued after a year.
In Benue State also, the Police Command confirmed the release of 20 students of the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos kidnapped by gunmen in the north-central State on August 15.
This comes as photos of the alleged kidnappers were posted on social media, though there was no official confirmation of the photos.
Police spokesperson in Benue, Sewuese Anene, confirmed their rescue to the News Agency of Nigeria at 11.15 p.m. on Friday in Makurdi, the state capital.
NAN reports that the students, who were traveling to Enugu for their annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students, FECAMDS convention, were abducted in Oturkpo.
Ms Anene, however, declined further details on the rescue efforts.
“The victims have been released. Details will be released tomorrow (Saturday) morning please,” he stated.
NAN reports that their release is coming five days after the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, deployed a tactical squad to Benue and ordered the commissioner of Police in Benue, to relocate to Oturkpo.
NAN gathered that a combined team of security operatives coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser carried out the operation that ensured freedom for the abducted students.
In another development, Yusha’u Ahmed, the director-general, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, says the last of the eight Prospective Corps Members, PCM kidnapped in Zamfara in August 2023 has been rescued.
He made the disclosure at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that eight PCMs and their bus driver were abducted in August 2023 in Zamfara on their way from Uyo, Akwa Ibom to Sokoto.
They were going for the mandatory national service.
Mr Ahmed, an army brigadier-general, said that the last NYSC member was rescued on Thursday.
He explained that the rescue effort was made possible with collaboration from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police, State Security Service, SSS, and traditional rulers.
He added that “through the combined efforts of security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army and the NYSC, the mission started with the rescue of the first set of corps members.
“Even though they were abducted at the same time, they were rescued in the following sequence.
“On August 30, 2023, we rescued the first PCM, Esudue Emmanuel, while Victoria Udoka was rescued on October 20, 2023, then Abigail Sandy and Sabina Ika who were rescued on Dec. 7
“Also, Oyo-Obong Udofia was rescued along with the driver of the vehicle on February 3, 2024, Daniel Bassey on Feb. 8, while Glory Thomas regained freedom on June 9.
“Meanwhile, the last PCM, Solomon Bassey, was rescued on Thursday, Aug. 23.”
He added that Bassey was qualified for the NYSC discharge certificate.
The director-general noted that no ransom was paid for the release of any of the youth corps members.”No state government brought any amount for their rescue as claimed in the media.
“I must state that I have not received one naira from any state government so far in the name of the rescue of these corps members.”
Mr Ahmed, therefore, expressed gratitude to God, the security agencies and Nigerians for keeping the faith while the PCMs were held in captivity.
On the fate of the kidnappers, he said that the culprits had been killed and no arrest had been made to the best of his knowledge.
Two of the rescued youth corps members spoke about their experience.
Estudio Emmanuel from Akwa Ibom said it was a traumatic experience, adding that “I thank God Almighty, the Army and the NYSC for my release.
“I am also thankful to the media for all their support and for everything they have done to ensure the rescue was successful.”
Victoria Udoka, also from Akwa Ibom, thanked the NYSC boss and the Nigerian Army for ensuring their release.
Eddy Megwa, the retiring NYSC Director, Information and Public Relations, said the rescue of the last kidnapped PCM was the climax of his exit from public service.
Mr Megwa, who retired from the scheme on Friday, said that the scheme went through thick and thin to ensure their release.
“This, we did, to ensure that the operations conducted toward the release of these corps members are smooth and successful and we thank God all of them are here and they are alive.
“We have seen them and we thank God for the prayers of all Nigerians.
“We thank God for the operation of the media, the steadfast nature of the parents who believe in Nigerian government, especially the military, toward the rescue of these young ones.”
