CITY NEWS NYSC assures justice for slain corps member in Ogun

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has promised to ensure justice for a murdered corps member, Modupe Tawose, who was raped and killed on December 9, 2017 in Ogun State.

The assurance was given by Mr John Okpo, the Ogun State NYSC Coordinator, during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Ibadan, Oyo State, yersterday.

Tawose, 23, a 2017 Batch ‘A’ corps member serving at the Ogun State Ministry of Housing in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, was lured to her death through her driving instructor, Festus Udoh, 29.

Her decomposing body was discovered on Wednesday at the Abule Ayo area in Odeda Local Government, Ogun State, in a bush where she was tied by her hands to a tree.

Udoh, who had since confessed to the crime, is being remanded in prison while awaiting trial in court.

Okpo, who was visibly traumatised by the incident, said the NYSC body was deeply saddened by the occurrence. “The NYSC family nationwide is sad for the raping and eventual murder of our beloved and patriotic corps member, the late Miss Modupe Tawose. We strongly condemn the act and will go to any length to defend and fight for the rights of our members and in this case, ensure justice is delivered.

“We will do all to ensure Mr Festus Udoh is brought to book as this will serve as a deterrent to other miscreants and evil doers in the society,” he said.

The NYSC boss used the opportunity to advise corps members to always be security conscious and promptly report any security threat appropriate authorities.

“Corps members are to save the distress call centre numbers given to them during the orientation course in their various camps on the phones in case of emergencies.

“They are also advised to move in groups and not to follow strangers, even known people with questionable characters,” Okpo said.

Responding on behalf of the family, an uncle to the deceased, Mr Hakeem Okunola, thanked the NYSC for the solidarity and prompt action to ensure arrest to the of the culprit.

“We thank the Ogun State police command for their swiftness in apprehending the accused and the NYSC body for their support. We already have some sort of justice for finding our daughter’s body and the culprit,” Okunola said.

The victim has since been buried in line with the NYSC’s policy on death of corps members.

Ms Tawose was a HND graduate of Quantity Survey from the Polytechnic, Ibadan, and is survived by her parents and siblings.