RE: NYSC MEMBER’S FINGER CUT OFF BY VILLAGERS IN KATSINA

The attention of the management of NYSC Katsina State, has been drawn to the publication in the Punch Newspaper of Tuesday, 4th April, 2017 captioned “NYSC Member’s finger cut off by villagers in Katsina”.
We wish to state categorically that no corps member’s finger was cut as reported in the story, nor a male corps member living with the purported female corps member.
The true story is that there was an attack in the early hours of Monday, 3rd April, 2017 by some hoodlums in a rented compound located at  Sabuwar Unguwa, Kofar Kaura, Katsina Local Government Area, where corps members and other tenants occupy. Four corps members live in the compound, and none of them was hurt or injured in the attack.
Their names are;
1. Joseph Egbezemori, KT/16B/5486, serving with Gaskya Modern School, Katsina,
2.  Omede Joy Ojomo, KT/16B/6066 GDSS Kofar Yandaka,
3.  Atta Vincent, KT/16A/3110, GDSS Kofar Yandaka and,
4. Ujonu Ansong, KT/16B/6870, GDSS Kofar Yandaka.

At 5:30am same day, the State Coordinator, NYSC Katsina, Mr. Okpo John A on receiving the information of the attack in the compound housing some corps members moved with the Assistant Director (Information) Emeka Ugwu, Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha Zonal Inspector, NYSC Katsina Zone and Mr Davou Gado, Principal Inspector, NYSC Katsina to find out if the corps members were affected by the incident. He immediately ordered the evacuation of the corps members from the compound. He further directed the police to make a thorough investigation of the incident.

The two victims of the incident:
• Dorcas Negede is an NCE holder and staff of Saldefi International School, Katsina while,
• Benjamin M. is a student at Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsinma.
• Both Dorcas and Benjamin are not corps members.
Dorcas’s thumb was dismembered while Benjamin sustained matchet cuts on the head.

The writer of the Facebook story, one Ikenna Maduabuchi, KT/16A/2525 is currently doing his  primary assignment with  Bank of Industry, Dutsinma. He does not therefore reside in the compound where the incident occurred neither was he at the scene of the incident. In an interview, Ikenna claimed the story was posted to him by one Samuel Adoniyi (Sammy Elijah), KT/I6B/5703. Samuel’s place of primary assignment is Katsina Television, Katsina.
The Punch Newspaper reporter on his part lifted the Facebook posting without reaching out to either the State Coordinator of NYSC Katsina, Mr. Okpo John A. or Mr.Emeka Ugwu, Assistant Director, Information, to cross check his facts. The state coordinator is media friendly and could have clarified the issue. The clarification could have averted   the embarrassment the publication has caused.
We wish to place on record that Katsina state is one of the most peaceful states in the country and the government and people of Katsina State are highly accommodating and friendly. Therefore, we cannot understand what Ikenna stands to gain by raising false alarm.