The NYSC Directorate in Bayelsa said on Friday that it had approved the withdrawal of all the 106 serving corps members in the Okolobiri community.

 The NYSC Coordinator for Bayelsa, Mrs Gloria Obiorha, said the measure was taken due to insecurity of lives and property, following an armed robbery attack at the corps members lodge.

Speaking through the Public Relations Officer of NYSC, Mr Pius Iyamah, Obiorha said all the corps members in Okolobiri, in Yenagoa Local Government Area, would be withdrawn and re-deployed to a safer community that needed their services.

Obiorha, who decried the high incidence of criminality and acts of vandalism of public property in the community, said the security of lives of the corps members was paramount to the nation.

According to her, the robbers who were armed with sophisticated weapons, allegedly shot indiscriminately to scare away the residents before accomplishing their mission.

At the Okolobiri police station, an officer on duty who confirmed the attack, said that before their arrival at the scene, the robbers had escaped into the bush.  

Also speaking, the state Police Spokesman, Mr Solomon Omoemim, also confirmed the incident but said that the command was yet to be officially briefed on the issue.

The Tide’s source learnt that about six suspected armed men had  invaded the NYSC lodge housing 60 corps members on Friday morning, carting away property worth thousands of naira.

One of the victims said they were severely beaten by the robbers, who also ransacked the lodge and carted away four laptops, six DVD players, wrist watches and about 21 handsets.

Other items stolen by the robbers included shoes, television sets and unspecified amount of cash.