Jos – The NYSC in Plateau on Monday denied reports that newly deployed corps members in the state were fleeing the camp following Sunday’s suicide bomb attack on St. Finbar’s Catholic Church, Jos.

The  attack is the second since the batch “A” of the 2012/2013 corps members reported to the orientation camp.

The first attack, carried out penultimate Sunday, was at the COCIN Church headquarters located in the centre of the city.

Sources close to the camp told journalists that the news going round the town was that following Sunday’s attack, fear-stricken NYSC members, mostly from the Southern states began fleeing the orientation camp.

The sources also claimed that some parents had been making distress calls asking their children to return home.

But the NYSC authorities, in refuting the claims that the corps members were fleeing, dismissed the claims as  “mere rumours”.

“No one is fleeing. All you hear are rumours,” NYSC spokesman, Mr Sam Nwokocha, told reporters.

He said that adequate security had been provided for the corps members and that there was no cause for alarm.

“It is only rumour that corps members are fleeing the orientation camp. We have policemen and men of the military Special Task Force (STF) maintaining security in the camp.

“The said rumour should be discarded as there is nothing like that. In fact, corps members are in high spirit and going through the orientation course without fear,” Nkwopaea said.

Earlier, the Plateau government had, at the opening of the orientation camp, assured the corps members posted to the state of adequate security during the orientation and in their places of primary assignment.

Mr Lohfa Bako, Commissioner for Youth Development, who gave the assurance, said that adequate security arrangement had been made to ensure their safety during the service year.

He, however, cautioned them on the need to be security conscious.

Mr Maram Maful, Plateau NYSC Coordinator, also assured the corps members of adequate security while they undertake the mandatory national service.

Correspondents, who visited the NYSC orientation camp, report that there were thorough security checks at the entrance, with cars totally barred from the premises.

Men of the joint Special Task Force maintaining peace in the state, were also stationed at strategic points around the camp, while no one is allowed to loiter around the area. (NAN)