The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed the death of a corps member along Jere-Abuja highway.
NYSC, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Adenike Adeyemi, said 17 corps members were attacked by suspected armed robbers who stormed the expressway.
According to the statement, the corps members had completed the 2020 Batch “B” Stream 1B Orientation programme at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, Osun State, and were travelling to the northern part of the country before the incident occurred.
“Tragically, along Jere -Abuja Expressway, they were accosted by a gang of armed robbers whose sporadic gunshots unfortunately felled Corps Member Bomoi Suleiman Yusuf. It is imperative to state that the 16 other Corps Members were never abducted,” the statement partly read.
The corps also debunked the rumour that some corps members travelling from Osun State were kidnapped.
Read Also: New COVID-19 Variant Reported In Nigeria
SEE FULL STATEMENT:
PRESS STATEMENT
RE: BANDITS ABDUCT CORPS MEMBERS, SHOOT ONE TO DEATH (sic) ALONG ABUJA VIA LOKOJA ROAD
The attention of NYSC Management has been drawn to the news with the above caption making the rounds concerning the death and alleged abduction of some Corps Members travelling from Osun State by kidnappers.
The true position is that, indeed, 17 Corps Members that completed the 2020 Batch Batch “B” Stream 1B Orientation programme at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, Osun State, on Tuesday, 22nd December 2020 boarded vehicles heading towards the northern part of the country.
Tragically, along Jere -Abuja Expressway, they were accosted by a gang of armed robbers whose sporadic gunshots unfortunately felled Corps Member Bomoi Suleiman Yusuf.
It is imperative to state that the 16 other Corps Members were never abducted.
The death of any Corps Member is a big loss, not just to his family, but to the Scheme and the entire nation at large.
Sadly, it is always the darkest moment in the life of the Scheme. The management wishes to convey its deepest condolences to the family of Late Corps Member Yusuf and prays God to grant them the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
The Director-General wishes to admonish all Corps Members to at all times adhere strictly to the safety guidelines issued to them from time to time, which particularly frowns at night travels.
May the soul of Bomoi Suleiman Yusuf rest in peace.
Adenike Adeyemi (Mrs)
Director, Press and Public Relations