The National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) and Bauchi State Government have vehemently debunked reports that over 50 corps members at the Wailo Orientation camp, Bauchi were killed in a bomb blast in the early hours of Wednesday.
The report was circulated from a posting on a social media website.
The Director of the State NYSC, Nuhu Kwaghe, who debunked the report, describing it as 'wicked and callous', said that the over 1,300 corps members deployed to the state are'safe and in good health'.
Kwaghe told THISDAY: “You are in Bauchi and if anything happened you will be aware. Nothing has happened like that at all. All is well in the camp right now and the corps members are on the parade ground as I am speaking with you now.”
One of the corps members, who spoke with our correspondent at the camp, Miss Faith Penuel Thauthau said the rumour came to her as a surprise.
“My phone was bombarded this morning and throughout the day with the news of the blast. I was very surprised to hear that there was a bomb blast at the camp. There is nothing that that. This is very wicked. On the contrary we are having a good time in camp even though the exercise is very stressful but I am enjoying it and meeting people and making friends.
"While will anyone want to spoil it? It is very unfortunate!”
Also, the Bauchi State Government denied reports that the NYSC Orientation Camp in Wailo was bombed leading to the death of a number of Corps members posted to the state and presently undergoing their orientation there.
A Press Statement from the Governor’s Office signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ishola Michael Adeyemi described the rumour as “baseless, unfounded and an information that cannot be substantiated by the mongers who are bent on disrupting the peaceful atmosphere in the state.”
Meanwhile, a nursing mother and three of her children in yong village of Tafawa Balewa Local Government area of Bauchi State were killed in cold blood by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
The victims, THISDAY gathered were killed while working on their farm in the village in the early hours of Wednesday.
THISDAY checks revealed that the development has caused serious concern among the residents even with the presence of armed security men in the area who were drafted to protect lives and property of the citizenry.
Speaking to the father of the victims, Mr. Luke Jumtuk, who was in tears while confirming the incident, said: "They have ruined me, my wife and children have been killed this morning when they were working on our farm. I am finished!"
Luke added: "Unless the federal government intervenes on these reccurent attacks in the area, the situation may get out of hand," even as he blamed insecurity in the area and the north in general for the woes.
Attempts to speak to the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ladan proved abortive as he was said to be attending a crucial security meeting following the rumour that went round the state that there was a bomb blast at the NYSC orientation camp Wednesday morning.
However, a senior Police officer (SUPOL), who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident to our reporter but declined further comments.
News credit: Thisday
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