The Benue State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Veronica Garba, has said that corps members posted to troubled areas in the state have been moved to safer places in Makurdi. She revealed this during an interview with journalists on Thursday in Wannune, located in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State.
She explained that once the NYSC management heard about the violent crisis, they immediately evacuated the corps members from Yelewata and Daudu.
The evacuated corps members were quickly relocated to NYSC family houses in Makurdi. These included locations such as the offices of the Nigeria Corpers Christian Fellowship (NCCF), National Association of Catholic Corps Members (NACCM), and Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria (MCAN).
According to Mrs. Garba, the safety of corps members is very important to the NYSC. She said they treat corps members like their own children. That’s why, upon receiving information about the violence, the NYSC contacted the Commissioner of Police.
Police officers were immediately sent to help evacuate the corps members. She confirmed that after conducting a head count, all corps members were accounted for, and none were missing. Arrangements were then made with the leaders of the family houses to accommodate the corps members in Makurdi until the situation improves.
Mrs. Garba asked parents not to panic, assuring them that their children were in good condition. She added that the presence of top security officials now in Benue shows that the situation is being taken seriously and will soon get better.
She encouraged parents to put their trust in God, saying He is the ultimate protector and is watching over their children no matter where they are.
Reports also state that President Bola Tinubu visited Makurdi on Wednesday. During his visit, he met with important stakeholders and instructed security agencies to provide stronger protection in the affected communities. He also gave orders for the arrest of those responsible for the violent attacks that led to the loss of lives.
