Abduction of Corps Member Sparks Calls to Suspend NYSC

Abduction of Corps Member Sparks Calls to Suspend NYSC

The Founder of the Onono Onimisi Foundation, Onono Onimisi, has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend or significantly reform the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, citing escalating insecurity and the growing risks faced by corps members across the country.

In a statement released over the weekend in Abuja, the girls’ education and youth safety advocate warned that the deteriorating security environment has made the NYSC programme increasingly unsafe, particularly for young graduates posted outside their home states. She stressed that continuing the scheme without adequate protection is irresponsible and could place thousands of youths in danger.

Onimisi highlighted the recent abduction of a corps member identified as Abba, who was reportedly kidnapped and tortured while traveling home after completing his national service. She described the incident as a “serious warning” about the vulnerabilities faced by corps members nationwide and argued that if one member could fall victim today, any corps member could be next.

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The advocate noted that thousands of graduates are posted annually to unfamiliar states, often requiring travel on roads plagued by kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. She argued that the NYSC scheme, originally established to promote national unity and integration, has become outdated in the current security climate and should either be temporarily suspended or comprehensively restructured until Nigeria becomes secure enough to operate the programme safely.

While acknowledging the importance of the NYSC for nation-building and youth development, Onimisi stressed that the government must first ensure the protection of corps members. She urged authorities to implement enhanced security protocols, better welfare measures, and risk assessments for corps members before posting them to any location.

Onimisi’s call echoes growing public concerns over the safety of young Nigerians in the face of rising insecurity, including multiple reports of kidnappings, armed attacks, and violent crimes targeting travellers, students, and corps members.

The NYSC scheme, established in 1973, has long been a symbol of national integration, but experts and advocates now argue that the current security challenges demand urgent reforms to protect participants and maintain public confidence in the programme.

Abduction of Corps Member Sparks Calls to Suspend NYSC