The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Friday, September 23, debunked media reports making the rounds, that it has advised serving corps members to prepare money for ransom if they get kidnapped while travelling on high-risk roads, Newspremises reports.
Newspremises recalls that, some sections of the media had previously reported on Thursday that, a security advisory introduced in March 2021, by the scheme had asked serving corps members to inform their family members and friends before embarking on a road trip as this would enable them to prepare sufficient ransom that may be required, if kidnapped and save them from untimely and brutal death in the hands of the violent criminals.
The section of the hand book read in part:
“When travelling in high risk roads such as Abuja -Kaduna, Abuja – Lokoja – Okene or Aba – Port-Harcourt roads, then alert your family members, friends and colleagues in order to have someone on hand to pay off the ransom that could be demanded.”
However, the scheme refute the reports in a statement through its verified social media pages on Friday morning.
The post read:
”The attention of Management of the National Youth Sevice Corps has been drawn to a fake release making the rounds on the social media to the effect that Corps Members travelling on “high risk roads” should alert their families, friends and colleagues in order to have somebody to pay off the ransom that could be demanded in the event of being kidnapped.
“Management wishes to emphatically state that the clause quoted is not embedded in NYSC Security Tips pamphlet which was put together by a highly respected retired security expert.
“Management wishes to appeal to the general public to always clarify issues with the Scheme.
“Please, be wary of falling prey to the antics of mischief makers out to ridicule the Scheme.
“Management shall continue to prioritise the security and welfare of Corps Members and staff at all times.
“Management”.
