NYSC makes clarifications on alleged shooting of corps members in Bayelsa by policeman

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bayelsa said on Tuesday that the scheme did not record any casualty in the shooting of a commercial bus driver and another person by a policeman in Yenagoa.

Podium media recalls that a mobile policeman on Monday evening allegedly shot a driver with Peace Mass Transit and one person at Ekeki in Yenagoa.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Bayelsa state , SP. Asinim Butswat confirmed the incident which occurred on Monday evening at Ekeki axis of Yenagoa, the state capital.

“The Command has arrested and taken into custody, one Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel on suspicion of Discreditable Conduct and Unlawful Use of his Firearm.

“The policeman involved is currently in detention at the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Yenagoa.

Also, in a statement in Yenagoa on Tuesday, Mrs Elizabeth Ojugo, the state Coordinator of NYSC, stated that no corps member in the state was involved, contrary to report in a section of the media that a corps member was shot.

“We wish to inform the public that contrary to reports that a corps member was among the victims of the shooting in Yenagoa on Monday, nothing of such happened to any corps member serving in the state.

“It is pertinent to state that a visit to the Commissioner of Police by the NYSC state coordinator to find out the true identity of the victims indicated that no corps member was involved.

“A similar visit by the coordinator to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where the victims were receiving treatment, also showed that no corps member was among.

“Accordingly, the public, particularly NYSC stakeholders, should disregard the phantom story in its entirety as it is very misleading

“The management of the scheme in Bayelsa assured NYSC stakeholders that it shall continue to ensure the security of lives and property of corps members in the state. It further urged the media to always cross-check their information before going to press.

“We must learn to put issues in proper perspective – the media, security personnel and the general public,” the statement read.