Four prospective corpers kidnapped on their way to camp

Suspected kidnappers on Monday night abducted four Rufus Giwa Polytechnic graduates on their way to Zamfara State for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, it was learnt on Tuesday.

The victims made up of three male and a female were kidnapped around Funtua in Katsina State at about 11:30 pm by armed men who laid a siege to the road.

As a result of this action, security officials renewed their advice to commuters to avoid night travels especially in areas where there are security threats.

It was gathered that the victims and some of their school mates who were posted to Zamfara State were travelling on a chartered bus from Owo, Ondo State to the campsite ahead of yesterday’s opening of the orientation camp.

While some of the occupants were able to escape and hide in the surrounding bush, the kidnapped four were not as fortunate as the armed men whisked them away.

It was gathered that one of the occupants, who escaped, contacted the parents of some of the victims to notify them of the incident.

She also went to the police station to the incident.

It was gathered that the kidnappers, who could only speak Hausa, have established contact with some relatives of the victims but there were hiccups because neither side had a translator.

“The graduated students chartered a bus from Owo to Zamfara State where they were posted for NYSC.

“The bus was to take them directly to the camp. Their families last heard from them around 4 pm on Monday when they got to Zaria only for Tolu to call Tuesday morning that kidnappers attacked them and took four persons.

“No ransom has been demanded yet but the kidnappers have contacted some of the parents but because they were speaking Hausa, there wasn’t much communication.

“We are appealing to security agencies to rescue these children safe and the government has to direct NYSC to reconsider posting prospective corps members to areas their lives will be endangered,” said a source.

Police spokesman DCP Frank Mba said the Katsina State command had commenced a manhunt for the suspects with a view to rescuing the victims unhurt.

He said: “It is true. Four of them were kidnapped around 11:30 pm. The command has launched a manhunt for their captors in order to ensure their safe rescue. The command is making progress in its investigation and operation.”