NYSC confirms shooting of corps member in Benue

A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Ogbu Garuba, serving in Nasarawa State, has been shot, along with his brother in Benue State by gunmen.

While Garuba sustained bullet shot injuries shot and survived, his brother was not so lucky. The brother was said to have died. It was also gathered that other friends of the Garuba and his brother sustained injuries in the attack. Garuba was said to have been shot on the knee and arm.

The state coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Zainab Isah, who confirmed the incident yesterday in Lafia, explained that Garuba, a 2017 Batch A Stream 1 Corps member,
serving at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), was shot by gunmen late December when he visited his family in Utonkon village in Ado Local Government Area, Benue State.

Her words: "We visited him and his family early this morning. I can confirm to you that he is recuperating. What happened was unfortunate, but we thank God he is alive, although his younger brother died.”

Isah said that the NYSC was not aware of the incident until Garuba started soliciting for support on social media, thereby attracting the attention of the NYSC management. The management on Tuesday went to Benue State to sympathize with him and his family.

She noted that Garuba travelled to Benue State without permission.

She added: "Whatever he did, will not take away the fact that his life is far more important. We take the welfare of every corps member seriously. As I’m talking to you, we have condoled with his family. We have also donated some money to assist in his treatment. I have advised him to compile all receipts given to him for his treatment so that when he gets well, he can apply for a refund.”

She expressed gratitude to the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Sule Kazaure, whom, according to her, mandated that all necessary assistance should be given to Garuba.

"The NYSC DG is very concerned and has instructed that everything should be done for the boy. The good news is that he is recuperating fast. He was happy with the kind gesture of the NYSC. The gesture boosted his morale and gave him a sense of belonging. He said that he regretted and apologised for travelling without permission as well as for going to social media to solicit for financial assistance even when I didn’t know he was shot. He promised to return to work as soon as he is medically fit," Isah.