Gunmen suspected to be robbers have attacked a lodge where some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) reside in Akwa Ibom State.
It was gathered that the gunmen at about 1am on Wednesday, attacked and dispossessed Corps members of their valuables at Udo Ekong Ekwere Street, off Information Drive, Uyo, the Akw Ibom State capital.
Witnesses say about 21 Corps Members were robbed in total.
While confirming the incident, the Management of the NYSC in the state, however, said that contrary to reports in certain quarters, no one was raped.
In a statement on Thursday the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Chinyere Ekwe said she in company of the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Olatoye Durosinmi, visited the Corps members for an on the spot assessment.
“While there, it was confirmed that 21 Corps members occupy the said property. The interaction with the Corps members further revealed that an attack on them was actually carried out by thieves at about 1am this morning.
“In the process, the invaders took their valuables including phones, Laptops and some cash. They confirmed that NO bodily harm was meted on them, and NO CORPS MEMBER WAS RAPED,” Mrs Ekwe explained.
She further asserted that while the actions and intentions of the criminal elements remain condemnable, social media operators, and online media establishments should exercise restraint and not trivialize such unfortunate incident as the consequences on the psychology of parents and guardians of Corps members in the state would be dangerously affected.
However, Mrs Ekwe disclosed that the State Commissioner of Police has assured the Corps members and members of the public that an investigation on the matter has been launched and that the culprits will soon be apprehended.
Meanwhile, the commissioner has equally detailed surveillance around the area with a promise to extend same to other Corps lodges.
Accordingly, the Akwa Ibom State NYSC Coordinator reaffirmed that there was no incident of rape.
She therefore urged the Corps members in the state to go about their lawful duties and make use of the security phone lines already provided, while in distressed situations.