A corps member, Abasifreke Joseph, kidnapped on January 9 along Enugu-Ezike Road, on her way to Kogi State said she was tortured and deprived of food by her abductors.

Miss Joseph who was released on January 13 narrated her experience in Abak on Sunday, when the NYSC Coordinator in Akwa Ibom State, Sam Pepple, visited her.

She said, “I spent five days and five nights in the kidnappers’ den without water and food.’’

The corps member said that she and other hostages were beaten, left without food and dispossessed of their mobile phones and other valuables

She stated, “I was posted to Kogi State for the one-year National Youth Service, I reported at the orientation camp, and was sworn in on November 29, 2024. I became sick while the orientation course was ongoing, so I got the permission and approval of the camp director to travel home for medical attention. I was returning to Kogi State on January 9 when the incident happened at about 4.30p.m along Enugu-Ezike Road in the Igbo Eze North Local Government Area.’’

Miss Joseph said that while the journey was ongoing, a motorcycle rider told them of a robbery attack ahead of them.

She said, “Surprisingly, the driver of our bus did not listen. He kept going forward until we met the kidnappers. When they started shooting, the driver quickly came down from the vehicle, opened the door and asked us to run into the bush. It also surprised us that the kidnappers asked our driver to go unhurt, he was not taking hostage.”

She expressed appreciation to the NYSC for its prompt response and solidarity during her ordeal.

Earlier, Mr Pepple, thanked God for sparing the corps member’s life, and expressed the commitment of the NYSC scheme towards the safety of members.

He said, “As soon as we were informed of the incident, we swung into action to ensure her safe release. We are happy that she is back with her family. The NYSC is a responsible organisation. We ensure adequate care for our members. We treat corps members as our children, so NYSC knows what to do for her. I have seen her, she is in high spirits and in good condition, which is different from what is being reported on social media.’’

(NAN)