NYSC secures release of 2 corps members held for armed robbery in Niger

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Friday said it had secured the release of two out of three corps members detained by police in Niger over alleged armed robbery.

The management of the corps said in a statement in Abuja that its findings revealed the accusation levelled against the trio was based only on circumstantial evidence.

It explained that the attention of the management was drawn to newspaper publications reporting that three corps members were held by police in Niger over alleged armed robbery.

It said that the publications had reported that the corps members were in police custody following allegations of robbing a shop owner in Suleja.

According to the statement, two of the accused corps members have since been released while the process of securing the release of the third is on-going.

It said that the office of the Secretary to the Government and the Ministry of Youth Development had lent its support to the matter.

It assured the public, particularly parents and guardians, that no corps member would be allowed to suffer unduly especially over cases of mistaken identity during the service year.

“We also wish to inform the public that the provisions of the NYSC Bye-Laws are very clear on the involvement of Corps members in criminal acts, though very unlikely, as their participation in the Scheme does not confer immunity from prosecution.

“We have, therefore, continued to sensitise members of the service corps on the need to be law-abiding and to shun acts capable of soiling the image of the Scheme and their families.

“Management further wishes to allay the fears of all Corps members serving in Suleja regarding their safety.

“We have already intensified liaison with the Army, Police and other security agencies in the area as well as the Suleja Emirate Council who have all renewed their commitment to the protection of all Corps members in the area,’’ the statement read in part.

Management therefore enjoined all corps members serving in Suleja to go about their duties without fear of molestation.