No fewer than three members of the
National Youths Service Corps, serving in the Assakio area of the Lafia
East Development Area, Nasarawa State, have been confirmed dead.
National Youths Service Corps, serving in the Assakio area of the Lafia
East Development Area, Nasarawa State, have been confirmed dead.
While two of the deceased – Oguntola
Wasiu-Babatunde and Danjuma Jamil-Salihu – drowned in a swimming pool,
their female counterpart, Memuna Ahmad-Yarwa, died from complications
during a child birth.
Wasiu-Babatunde and Danjuma Jamil-Salihu – drowned in a swimming pool,
their female counterpart, Memuna Ahmad-Yarwa, died from complications
during a child birth.
The woman was a Batch B, Stream II female corps member posted to Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.
PUNCH Metro gathered that
Wasiu-Babatunde with code number, NS16B4044 hailed from Ogun State,
while Jamil-Salihu with code number NS16B 0175 was an indigene of Kwara
State.
Wasiu-Babatunde with code number, NS16B4044 hailed from Ogun State,
while Jamil-Salihu with code number NS16B 0175 was an indigene of Kwara
State.
It was learnt that the duo, whose bodies
were found floating on the bank of Assakio River area on Sunday, were
not skilled in swimming.
were found floating on the bank of Assakio River area on Sunday, were
not skilled in swimming.
Investigation by our correspondent
indicated that the river had claimed several lives of indigenous farmers
in the area over the years.
indicated that the river had claimed several lives of indigenous farmers
in the area over the years.
Confirming the incident to PUNCH Metro,
the state Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs. Zainab
Isah, said, “I received the shocking news from the Assistant
Commissioner of Police in the state. He said two corps members drowned
in the Assakio River.”
the state Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs. Zainab
Isah, said, “I received the shocking news from the Assistant
Commissioner of Police in the state. He said two corps members drowned
in the Assakio River.”
While expressing sadness over the
incident, she, however, prayed that God would grant them internal rest
and give their parents the fortitude to bear the loss.
incident, she, however, prayed that God would grant them internal rest
and give their parents the fortitude to bear the loss.
The female corps member was said to have
been buried according to the Islamic rites, while the corpses of the
male victims had been deposited in a morgue.
been buried according to the Islamic rites, while the corpses of the
male victims had been deposited in a morgue.
Isah also confirmed the kidnap of a
corps member serving in the Udege Development Area of the state by
gunmen at about 1pm on Friday.
corps member serving in the Udege Development Area of the state by
gunmen at about 1pm on Friday.
The victim and four other corps members
had reportedly gone to a bank in the community and were returning to
their various places of assignments when the lady was abducted.
had reportedly gone to a bank in the community and were returning to
their various places of assignments when the lady was abducted.
It was also gathered that N5m ransom was paid to the kidnappers before the victim was released.
The state coordinator of NYSC dispelled the rumour that the victim was allegedly raped by her kidnappers.
She said, “I took the victim, Blessing
Kelechi, a Batch ‘A,’ Stream I corps member, who hails from Abia State,
to the Federal Medical Center, Lafia, where she underwent a medical test
which dismiss the rumour making the round that the corps member was
raped by her kidnappers.
Kelechi, a Batch ‘A,’ Stream I corps member, who hails from Abia State,
to the Federal Medical Center, Lafia, where she underwent a medical test
which dismiss the rumour making the round that the corps member was
raped by her kidnappers.
“The corps members were allegedly robbed
by gunmen. Kelechi is presently in my custody. I am going to hand her
over to the Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Al-Makura.
by gunmen. Kelechi is presently in my custody. I am going to hand her
over to the Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Al-Makura.
“No ransom was paid before her release,
but she was beaten by the kidnappers. At the time the victim was
kidnapped, she was in her menstruation period and the assault made her
to bleed more.”
but she was beaten by the kidnappers. At the time the victim was
kidnapped, she was in her menstruation period and the assault made her
to bleed more.”
Isah commended the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Kura, for ensuring Kelechi’s freedom.
She urged the corps members in the state to be security conscious and law-abiding.