The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday said it had intervened in the case of the three corps members accused of robbery in Suleja, Niger State.
In a statement, the commission said it had secured bail for two of the three and assured that the third member will soon get reprieve. It urged corps members in Niger State not to panic.
It said it was working with the Suleja Emirate, the Army, the police and other security agencies to guarantee the safety of corps members in the area.
The statement read: “We inform the public that immediately after the arrest of the trio, the NYSC reached out to stakeholders, including the state police command and the state government to ensure that the corps members did not suffer unduly.
“Without prejudice to the investigative duties of the appropriate law enforcement agency, we have it on good authority that preliminary findings showed that the accusation was based only on circumstantial evidence.
“Following the joint intervention of the NYSC scheme and the state government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government and the Ministry of Youth Development, two of the three corps members have been released while the process of securing the release of the third is on.
“Management wishes to assure members of the public, particularly parents and guardians of corps members that no corps member will suffer unduly, especially on cases of mistaken identity during the service year.
“We inform the public that the provisions of the NYSC Bye-Laws are very clear on the involvement of corps members in criminal acts, though very unlikely, as their participation in the scheme does not confer immunity from prosecution. We have, therefore, continued to sensitise members of the service corps on the need to be law-abiding and to shun acts capable of soiling the image of the scheme and their families.
“We also allay the fears of corps members in Suleja regarding their safety. We have intensified liaison with the Army, police and other security agencies, as well as the Suleja Emirate Council, who have all renewed their commitment to the protection of corps members in the area.
“Corps members therefore enjoined to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation.”