Soldiers, corps members clash at Kano NYSC camp

THERE was confusion at the National Youth Service orientation camp in Karaye, Kano State, on Friday  night, following a clash between a corps member and the camp commandant over alleged treatment of corps members by the officer and his men.

This is just as the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, assured  2,282 corps members posted to the state not to entertain any fear, but  feel at home, saying all necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety of their lives and property.

A source who prefered anonymity alleged that the corps members on camp were fed up with the excessive punishments from the commandant and his soldiers and decided to stage a mini protest, shouting “we no go gree. We are graduates”

According to the source, the commandant walked reportedly up to one of the corps members who shouted “we no go gree” and punched him. But the corps member retaliated by punching the commandant who fell to the ground which caused his men to rush to his aid.

However, the protest from the corps members intensified with demands that the commandant be decamped.

In a swift reaction, the state NYSC Coordinator, Ladan Baba, restored order to the camp but however granted the demands of corps members and approved the decamping of the camp commandant.

When contacted, the NYSC coordinator confirmed the clash, saying that the issue had been resolved amicably and normalcy has returned to the camp.

It is recalled that the state Commissioner of Information, Comrade Muhammad Garba, speaking on behalf of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, while welcoming new set of corps members said, “Let me use this occasion to reiterate that my administration is aware of the challenges that is faced by the NYSC in the state.

“You have all left your homes to travel to another part of the country, where you may not have friends or family. However, I would like you to always remember that wherever you are in this country, you have friends and family,especially in Kano, you are at home.”

‘It is on this note that we give priority to the security of life and property of all and recently embarked on general renovation of the orientation camp which has fully resumed, additional boreholes drilled and payment of local allowances renewed upward’

We shall continue to ensure the smooth and effective execution of the operations relating to the NYSC in Kano State.