‘How Troops Stopped Possible Abduction Of 74 NYSC Members In Borno’

Nigerian Army has explained how quick response of its troops stopped possible abduction of 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) comprising 36 males and 38 females when their vehicles break down along the Buratai–Kamuya road of Borno State on Tuesday.

The corps members were travelling in three buses when the vehicles broke down near a known kidnapping hotspot around 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, on Media Information Officer, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, OPHK troops were deployed to the scene after a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system monitored by the military detected suspicious movement of the stranded buses in the area.

“On arrival, the troops discovered that the passengers were NYSC members who had been stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults.

“The troops immediately secured the area and rescued them from a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorists operating in that axis,” he said.

Uba added that the rescued corps members were taken to the Buratai military base for safety, pending arrangements for their onward movement to their various destinations.

According to him, the Theatre Commander, OPHK, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, commended the troops for their vigilance and quick response, which averted what could have been another tragic incident.

“The Theatre commander reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian military to ensuring the safety of all citizens and maintaining security across the North East region,” he added.

(NAN)