Suspected
cultists attacked a Youth Corps members’ lodge at Angalabiri community in Sagbama
Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Sunday and were said to have cut off a corps member’s left hand.
It was gathered that the victim identified as Luntis Julius from
Taraba State, was brutally attacked with a machete by the hoodlums who
were said to have robbed the corps members of laptops and phones.
The incident which occurred about 2:30a.m., reportedly caused panic among corps members serving in Sagbama Local Government.
Speaking to a correspondent, a corps member, who spoke in confidence, lamented constant attacks by armed youths. He said: “We are at the mercy of hoodlums. Female corps members are harassed on a daily basis.”
Recently at a stakeholders’ workshop organised by the National
Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Coordinator, Mrs. Loto Bolade, implored
employers of corps members to put facilities in place to address their
security and welfare.
She said: “Corps members are your children during the one year
they are posted to your establishments. It is your responsibility to
give them accommodation with security, the same you give to your
children.”
Police spokesman Butswat Asinim confirmed the attack, and said it
is a case of burglary, adding that the hoodlums stole the corps members’
belongings and attacked one of them with a machete.
Two out of the four cultists allegedly involved in the attack have
been apprehended by security operatives and are currently in police custody.
The victim who had his hand almost chopped off, is currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital.