Benue Killings: NYSC Evacuates Corps Members from Crisis Areas to Safe Locations

Following the recent violent attacks in parts of Benue State, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has evacuated corps members serving in affected communities to safer locations in Makurdi, the state capital.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area, the Benue State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Veronica Garba, confirmed the relocation and assured the public that all corps members were safe and accounted for.

“We do not joke with the safety of our corps members because we take them as our children. So as soon as we heard about the crisis, we contacted the Commissioner of Police, who detailed his officers to help us evacuate our corps members,” Garba stated.

She explained that the affected corps members were evacuated from Yelewata and Daudu, both located in areas that recently came under attack by suspected armed herders. Once safely removed, they were relocated to family houses in Makurdi.

“We then did our head count and none was missing, so we arranged with the heads of all the family houses and got them settled in Makurdi for now, pending when the situation will improve,” she added.

The corps members are currently being housed in secure locations, including the offices of the Nigeria Corpers Christian Fellowship, the National Association of Catholic Corps Members, and the Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria.

Mrs. Garba urged parents and guardians to remain calm, assuring them of their children’s safety and the NYSC’s commitment to protecting all serving members.

“I am sure that the parents of our corps members have heard that all the security chiefs have moved to Benue, so they have no reason to fear. Above all, God, who is the safest security, is everywhere; He is with your children too,” she said.