Three National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from Akwa Ibom State, kidnapped in Zamfara State while on their way to serve the country, have shared their horrible experiences in captivity.
The victims spent between two months and one year in captivity before regaining freedom.
“The incident happened on August 17, 2023, along Gusau road in Zamfara State,” one of the freed corps members recounted.
“Our driver slowed down due to bad spots on the road, and we thought it was a checkpoint. But armed men emerged, wearing kaftans and military camouflage, and took us into the bush.”
The captives were held in an open forest with no shelter, forced to sleep on rice sacs and drink flood water when it rained.
They encountered wild animals, including snakes, scorpions, and bush dogs.
One corp member, Solomon, was singled out, beaten, and tortured for refusing to pay ransom.
“I was chained and transported from Zamfara to Kaduna on a motorcycle through bush tracks. I was very sick for three months and couldn’t urinate or defecate.”
A female corps member shared her two-month ordeal, highlighting the language barrier and lack of medical care. “We were kept in a small place, and I wore only one piece of clothing for two months. Even when I was in my period, I couldn’t clean up.”
The freed corps members thanked the government, NYSC, and security operatives for securing their release.
They appealed to the federal and Akwa Ibom state governments for employment to alleviate their trauma. “We want to be employed and have something to care for our families,” they pleaded.
After their release, the NYSC paid them arrears of their monthly allowances and presented them with options to continue or start their service year anew.
They chose to continue, having suffered greatly in captivity, and received their discharge certificates.
