Tragedy as Two NYSC Corps Members Drown in Swimming Pool, One Dies in Hospital in Nasarawa

 

Atleast 3 corps members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), serving in the Assakio area of the Lafia East Development Area of Nasarawa State, have been confirmed dead.

 

According to a shocking report by PUNCH newspaper, two of the deceased identified as Oguntola Wasiu-Babatunde and Danjuma Jamil-Salihu, reportedly drowned in a swimming pool, while their female counterpart, Memuna Ahmad-Yarwa, died from complications during a child birth.

 

It was gathered that the bodies of Wasiu-Babatunde who hailed from Ogun State, and Jamil-Salihu who is an indigene of Kwara State, were found floating on the bank of Assakio River area on Sunday as they were not skilled in swimming.

 

Investigation indicated that the river had claimed several lives of indigenous farmers in the area over the years.

 

While confirming the incident, the state Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs. Zainab Isah, said, “I received the shocking news from the Assistant Commissioner of Police in the state. He said two corps members drowned in the Assakio River.”

 

While expressing sadness over the incident, she, however, prayed that God would grant them internal rest and give their parents the fortitude to bear the loss.

 

The female corps member who was a Batch B, Stream II female corps member posted to Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, was said to have been buried according to the Islamic rites, while the corpses of the male victims had been deposited in a morgue.

 

Isah also confirmed the kidnap of a corps member serving in the Udege Development Area of the state by gunmen at about 1pm on Friday. The victim and four other corps members had reportedly gone to a bank in the community and were returning to their various places of assignments when the lady was abducted.

 

It was also gathered that N5m ransom was paid to the kidnappers before the victim was released.

 

The state coordinator of NYSC dispelled the rumour that the victim was allegedly r*ped by her kidnappers.

 

She said, “I took the victim, Blessing Kelechi, a Batch ‘A,’ Stream I corps member, who hails from Abia State, to the Federal Medical Center, Lafia, where she underwent a medical test which dismiss the rumour making the round that the corps member was raped by her kidnappers.