Mixed Reactions as Corps Member Rape JSS1 Student in Katsina

 

Mixed reactions have continued to trail the alleged raped of a schoolgirl by a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member with Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) in Katsina.

The JSS1 student, whose identity is yet to be unraveled, was said to have been forcefully dragged into an apartment provided by the school management for its serving corps members by the accused person where he allegedly had carnal knowledge of her.

Investigation by media  revealed that the corps member (name withheld), who has since been arrested by the police, hails from Niger State, and will be completing his service by March this year.

Some family members who pleaded anonymity confirmed the scenario to the media on Wednesday, saying the accused person, after committing the ‘ungodly act’, allegedly locked the victim in the room for three days.

 

They also accused the NYSC authorities in the state of trying to persuade the management of the school and the girl's parents not to report the incident to police, as it would affect the suspect's primary assignment.

One of the sources said: "But the school and the girl's parents refused to listen to the NYSC officials. So, they invited the police, who came, handcuffed him (suspect) and took him away from the school.

"The girl closed from school last week Monday but could not return home. So we started searching for her in the school and the village, but we could not find her.

"It was after some days that one of the corps members informed some teachers in the school that our daughter is in their lodge with one of their colleagues.

"On getting to the lodge, we found her in the corps member's room. She wanted to leave the house on the first day of her visit, but she could hardly walk, which led to her staying in his room for three days."

Reacting to the development in a message sent to the NYSC media platform, the state NYSC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Obemeata, said the scheme is a highly reputable organisation where discipline is the hallmark, and would not condone acts of indiscipline by any member of the corps.

He said: "The issue is still under police investigation, and we await the conclusion from the police before taking any action. Further necessary briefs and actions will be communicated to journalists when investigation is concluded by the police.’’

But the spokesman of the Katsina State Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, said the suspect have been apprehended and detained in Sabon-Garin police station.

"The boy has been arrested. But we are still awaiting the outcome of our investigation and the medical report to firmly establish the allegation," he stated.