In Akwa Ibom State, the Open Forum Care for Humanity Foundation has called upon both the State and Federal Governments to grant automatic employment to eight former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were kidnapped on August 17, 2023. These individuals were targeted by armed abductors in Zamfara State while traveling to Sokoto State for their mandatory one-year national service. Following their harrowing experience, the corps members have reunited with their families in Akwa Ibom after being released at different times. The foundation’s president, Matthew Okono, underscored the importance of providing the former corps members with employment as a means of aiding their recovery from the psychological trauma they endured during captivity.
During a press conference held in Uyo that included the affected NYSC members, Okono acknowledged the roles played by President Bola Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, and the NYSC in securing the release of the abducted corps members. He made fervent appeals to both the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Federal Government to extend formal employment opportunities to the rescued graduates, thereby facilitating their integration back into civil life. Okono emphasized the need for considerations that support the mental health of the former NYSC members, echoing the sentiment that such measures would meaningfully contribute to their healing process after a traumatic ordeal.
Okono’s plea also touched upon the necessity of reforms within the NYSC structure itself. He suggested that the Federal Government should take steps to make the NYSC scheme safer and more geared towards development, thereby ensuring that it adds more value to nation-building. This recommendation stems from the intense experiences of the abducted corps members, which highlight the vulnerabilities they faced while serving their country. Such changes could potentially benefit future corps members by creating safer environments for them during their service period and reinforcing the overall integrity of the NYSC programs.
The accounts of the former corps members vividly illustrate the severe circumstances they faced during their kidnappings. One survivor, Solomon Daniel, revealed that he was targeted for refusing to pay a ransom that his family could not afford, leading to severe mistreatment during his year-long captivity. He recounted horrifying details about being tortured and deprived of basic human needs, underscoring the physical and emotional toll of his experience. His harrowing journey included surviving on leaves and drinking contaminated water, illustrating the desperation that defined his time in captivity. Such personal testimonies provide a stark perspective on the dire consequences of insecurity in the region.
Similarly, Victoria Bassey and Etim Bassey shared their traumatic stories, including the dire living conditions and the violence they experienced at the hands of their captors. Bassey’s descriptions of their struggles, from a lack of hygiene to the necessity of consuming floodwater for survival, paint a grim picture of the ordeal endured by the young corps members. They were lured into a false sense of security when they encountered armed men disguised in military uniforms who seized their vehicle, leading them into a treacherous situation. The realization that they had fallen victim to a carefully laid trap illustrates the lengths to which kidnappers will go and the omnipresent danger faced by civilians in various regions of Nigeria.
Collectively, the eight rescued corps members expressed heartfelt gratitude towards President Tinubu, NYSC Director-General General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, Governor Umo Eno, and security personnel for their roles in their liberation. They also voiced a compelling plea for assistance and employment opportunities from the government as part of their recovery journey. Their experiences not only underscore the need for greater safety measures for NYSC participants but also highlight the importance of support systems for victims of crime and trauma. The collective voice of the former corps members emphasizes a crucial call for governmental action to aid in their rehabilitation and ensure that similar events do not occur in the future, thereby promoting a safer environment for all those serving in national capacities.
