Udofia decries robbery, rape of corps members in Uyo, tasks govt to be proactive

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Akan Udofia, has condemned the robbery attack on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members at the Corpers’ Lodge located along Udo Ekong Ekwere street in Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

DAILY POST learnt that armed robbers reportedly stormed the Lodge on Tuesday night on a tricycle (Keke Napep) and forced the corps members to surrender their valuables, including laptops, cell phones and cash, at gunpoint, threatening to kill them if they failed to comply.

According to reports by Vanguard, some female corps members in the lodge were also raped by the criminal elements.

Reacting, Udofia, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the incident was a dastardly one that must never be allowed to recur, tasking the state government to be proactive in protecting the corps members.

Udofia said it was unfortunate that innocent young men and women who came to Akwa Ibom State to serve their fatherland could be subjected to such a harrowing experience without any reprieve and despite their desperate cries for help.

The incident, he added, showed the decadence and frustration of the people with the government in place in the state.

While commiserating with the victims, Udofia enjoined security agencies in the state to map protection around corps members, saying that leaving people who have left their various home states to come and serve their fatherland in Akwa Ibom at the mercy of hoodlums was an act of sabotage.

According to him, corps members should not be going through such harrowing experiences, particularly as this would make parents apprehensive about allowing their children to serve in other parts of the country.

He said: “The implications of robbery attacks on corps members and other members of the society going about their lawful duties are legion, and this should cause a right-thinking government concern.

“The internal security of the state must be enhanced with a view to ensuring that incidents such as the invasion of the Uyo Corpers Lodge do not happen ever again.

“Habitual pontification on security issues offer no help. Conscious efforts must be made to secure the lives and properties of people in the state.”