The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied paying ransom for the release of kidnapped Zamfara Corps Members.
It gave clarifications against widely circulated reports that the Akwa Ibom Government and some concerned individuals paid for the release of the kidnapped prospective corps members.
In a statement issued by the NYSC Spokesperson, Mr. Eddy Megwa, the Scheme said the release of the prospective corps members was primarily from the combined effort of the security agents and the National Youth Service Corps
“The attention of NYSC Management has been drawn to the news making rounds in the public that the Akwa Ibom Government and some concerned individuals paid for the release of the kidnapped prospective corps members.
“To put the records straight, the release of the prospective corps members kidnapped in ZAMFARA state on their way to report at Orientation camp in Sokoto state was primarily on the combined effort of the security agents and the National Youth Service Corps,” the statement partly reads.
It is also stressed that no state government, individual or agency paid any amount in the guise of ransom before their release.
“The management of National Youth Service Corps, since their release, is shouldering the responsibility of their medical bills where they are recuperating.
“The management therefore disassociates itself from the claim that Akwa Ibom State Government or any other state Government paid money for their release,” it said.
Also, the NYSC dissociated itself from public calls for financial donations towards paying ransom for the release of the prospective corps members.
It urged parents and family members of the kidnapped prospective corps members, Akwa Ibom, Zamfara state Governments or anyone not to fall prey to fraudsters.
“The management of the scheme is very much aware of different account numbers and names currently being circulated in the public calling for financial donations towards paying ransom for the release of the prospective corps members.
” The NYSC management therefore is making an open call to the parents and family members of the kidnapped prospective corps members, Akwa Ibom, Zamfara state Governments or anybody not to fall prey to the unscrupulous elements who fraudsters taking undue advantage of the situation to defraud unsuspecting members of the public by calling for donation towards the release of the kidnapped prospective corps members.
“It is however impressive to note that so far the management of national Youth Service corps and security agents have succeeded in securing the release of four (4) out of the eight (8) kidnapped prospective corps members without paying any amount of money and still working relentlessly towards securing the release of the remaining prospective corps members in the hands of the kidnappers,” it assured.
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