The attention of the NYSC Rivers State has been drawn to a publication in the Punch Newspaper of Saturday 25th Octomber 2008.on page 13 of the said Newspaper,it was reported that 28 female corps member were raped by militants at Abonnema in Akuku-toru local government Area of Rivers state where they were posted for thier mandatory one year national service.

Throuogh investigation carried out by the NYSC management in the State,the NYSC officers attached to the local Government and oral interviews with the corps members serving in that community show that:


Female corps members serving in Abonnema were neither raped,robbed nor molested.
The NYSC record shows that there are only 21 female corpsmembers serving in Abonnema in different locations as against 28 reported.

Several effort was made to reach the reporter of Punch and after persistent calls by the State Co-ordinator,he was eventually reached on phone  and he confirmed that he got a text message from the joint task force (JTF) reporting thta 28 women were raped in Abonnema.What is more worrisome  to NYSC management is his inability to confirm the authencity of the the text message and how 28 women translate to 28 female corps members even if there was any such incident.

It is very very unfortunate for such reputable media organisation like Punch Newspaper to publish such malicioius story without thorough investigation and proper editing before feeding its teeming customers with false information.

 
The said publication has created an unnecessary tension and apprehension as corps members serving in other locations have become apprehensive of thier safety.

It  is an embarrassment to the NYSC ,to the good people of Abonnema,Rivers State Government,Parents of the corps Members and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The NYSC Management in Rivers State is using these medium to inform the public that the story is not true as the state Government has put in place enough security measures to protect lives and prperty of its citizernry.

We therefore insist that the said reporter retract the story and tender an unreserved apology to the NYSC and the public or a legal action will be instituted against the Punch Newspaper and the reporter for such malicioius and inflammatory story as the publication is not true and is baseless.