The Managment of Akwa Ibom State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has maintained that no Corps Member was raped by gunmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.
This was contained in a statement signed by the State Coordinator, NYSC Akwa Ibom, Mrs Chinyere Ekwe.
Mrs Ekwe said the attention of the Management of NYSC Akwa lbom State was drawn to an online publication, with the caption, ‘Akwa Ibom Gunmen Attack NYSC Lodge, Rob, Rape Women’.
She said in the publication, it was alleged that gunmen attacked, raped, robbed and dispossessed Corps Members of their valuables at Udo Ekong Ekwere Street, off Information Drive, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where they reside.
She explained that, to put the unfortunate incident in proper perspective, she, in company of the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Olatoye Durosinmi, visited the Corps Members for an on-the-spot assessment.
The State Coordinator continued: “While there, it was confirmed that 21 Corps Members occupy the said property. The interaction with the Corps Members further revealed that an attack on them was actually carried out by thieves at about 1am.
“In the process, the invaders took their valuables including phones, laptops and some cash. They confirmed that NO bodily harm was meted on them, and NO CORPS MEMBER WAS RAPED.
“While the actions and intentions of those criminal elements remained condemnable, we passionately appeal to the social media operators, particularly, Punch online, to exercise restraint and not trivialize such unfortunate incident as the consequences on the psychology of parents and guardians of Corps Members in the state would be dangerously affected.
“However, it is worthy of note that the State Commissioner of Police has assured the Corps Members and members of the public that an investigation on the matter has been launched and that the culprits will soon be apprehended.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner has equally detailed surveillance around the area with a promise to extend same to other Corps lodges”, she stated.
Accordingly, the State Coordinator reaffirmed that there was no incident of rape. She further urged the Corps Members in the State to go about their lawful duties and make use of the security phone lines already provided, while in distressed situations.
