By Moses Okorie
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has expressed deep sadness over what it described as misleading and alarmist write-up titled “Urgent: The NYSC Death Trap Our Graduates Are Being Sold to Bandits”, which is being circulated in the social media.
NYSC made the condemnation in Abuja on Wednesday via a statement signed by its Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, urging the general public to disregard the said report while calling on media practitioners, stakeholders to always verify information from credible sources before publication.
The statement reads: “At a time when national security requires responsible communication, it is deeply troubling that such a publication, replete with falsehoods, distortions, and unverified claims, has been disseminated to the public without due diligence. The narrative not only misrepresents the Scheme’s operations but also attempts to incite fear and undermine public confidence in one of Nigeria’s most critical nation-building institutions.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Youth Service Corps categorically states that there is no provision whatsoever for any “ransom clause” in the NYSC Act, Bye-laws, or any official publication of the Scheme. This claim is entirely fictitious and should be disregarded in its entirety.
“Furthermore, the Scheme deeply empathises with Mr. Musa Usman Abba and his family over the unfortunate incident, and we share in their concern during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with them, and we sincerely hope for his safety and well-being. While this situation is distressing, it is important to clarify that he is not a serving Corps Member, having completed his national service in 2023. Any attempt to link his situation to the NYSC is therefore inaccurate and a misrepresentation of facts”.
NYSC said it remains a responsible and responsive institution that places the highest premium on the welfare, safety, and well-being of Corps Members and staff.
“In demonstration of this commitment, the Scheme has maintained a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding with Capital Express Assurance Limited since 2004, providing life insurance coverage for all Corps Members. Under this arrangement, all prospective Corps Members who have received their call-up letters, as well as those who have reported to orientation camps, are fully covered.
“Notably, this insurance coverage extends up to three weeks after the completion of service, in addition to their enrolment under the National Health Insurance Scheme. In practical terms, the Scheme has continued to back its commitment with action. Over the last five years alone, NYSC has expended over ₦500 million on urgent medical interventions for Corps Members across the country”, NYSC said.
On the issue of security, it said it recognised as a broader national challenge, the NYSC works in close collaboration with relevant security agencies to safeguard Corps Members before, during, and after orientation exercises as Corps Members posted to areas assessed as high-risk are provided with adequate security arrangements, including military escorts, saying this proactive approach has been consistently implemented since 2024 in the North West and much earlier in some parts of the North East.
“Additionally, in line with its duty of care, the Scheme has taken decisive steps to relocate orientation camps in states such as Kebbi, Kaduna, Kwara, Borno, Gombe, and Plateau to safer locations, ensuring the protection of both Corps Members and camp officials. It is instructive to recall the timeless principle of natural justice captured in the Latin maxim audi alteram partem, meaning “hear the other side.” This fundamental standard appears to have been completely ignored by the author of the referenced publication, who failed to seek clarification from the NYSC before disseminating misleading information to the public”, it added.erve.