No corps members were violated in the Akwa Ibom attack, according to NYSC

 No corps members were violated in the Akwa Ibom attack, according to NYSC

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Reports that some 21 female corps members had been raped during an attack on Wednesday "by robbers" have been debunked by the National Youth Service Corps.

Contrary to claims, the scheme verified that "no corps member was raped" and that "no bodily damage was meted on them."

Chinyere Ekwe, the NYSC state coordinator for Akwa Ibom, provided the clarification in a statement that media in Abuja were able to receive on Thursday.

In the rumored incident, she stated, "Gunmen allegedly attacked, raped, stole from, and stripped Corps Members of their goods at their residence on Udo Ekong Ekwere Street off Information Drive in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

"To put the regrettable situation in right perspective, Olatoye Durosinmi, the State Police Commissioner, and Chinyere Ekwe, the State Coordinator for NYSC Akwa Ibom State, visited the Corps Members and conducted an on-site evaluation.

The presence of 21 corps members on the aforementioned property was confirmed while there. Interaction with the corps members further revealed that a theft-related attack on them occurred this morning at around 1 am.

The intruders stole personal possessions during the process, including phones, laptops, and some cash. They affirmed that they suffered no physical damage and that no corps member was sexually assaulted.

We fervently appeal to social media users to exercise restraint and refrain from trivializing such unfortunate incidents because the effects on the psychology of parents and guardians of corps members in the state would be dangerously adverse. This is true even though the actions and intentions of those criminal elements remain condemnable.

It is important to note, nevertheless, that the State Commissioner of Police promised the Corps Members and the general public that an inquiry into the incident has been opened and that the offenders will be quickly captured.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner has conducted a similarly thorough monitoring of the neighborhood and has pledged to do the same at other Corps lodges.

The State Coordinator has thus reiterated that there was no rape occurrence. Therefore, she advises the  corp members in the state to go about their lawful duties and make use of the security phone line which was already provided.