The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has described as false a viral report claiming that the scheme operates a “ransom clause” and exposes corps members to banditry.
The clarification comes amid concerns from families over the safety of corps members, especially in high-risk postings across the country.
The NYSC issued a rejoinder on Wednesday through Caroline Embu, Director of Information and Public Relations, emphasizing that such a clause does not exist in the scheme’s act, bye-laws, or official publications.
“The management and staff of the National Youth Service Corps have noted with serious concern the circulation of a misleading and alarmist write-up titled ‘Urgent: The NYSC Death Trap Our Graduates Are Being Sold to Bandits,” the statement said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NYSC categorically states that there is no provision whatsoever for any ‘ransom clause.’ This claim is entirely fictitious and should be disregarded in its entirety,” it added.
The debate erupted in response to the case of Musa Abba, who the NYSC said had been incorrectly associated with the scheme.
“We deeply empathize with Mr. Musa Usman Abba and his family over the unfortunate incident… 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,” the statement said.
In response to growing concerns, the NYSC stated that it is continuing to work with security agencies to protect corps members across the country.
Corps members stationed in high-risk areas are adequately protected, including military escorts, a policy that has been routinely applied in the North West since 2024 and in parts of the North East prior to that.
The plan has also relocated orientation camps in states such as Kebbi, Kaduna, Kwara, Borno, Gombe, and Plateau to safer areas to protect the safety of both corps members and camp staff.
“The NYSC remains a responsible and responsive institution that places the highest premium on the welfare, safety, and well-being of corps members and staff,” the statement said.
In addition, all corps members are covered by a life insurance policy under a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding with Capital Express Assurance Limited that lasts three weeks after service completion, in addition to enrollment in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The NYSC, which was formed to promote national unity and service, often deploys corps members to states across Nigeria, including those with security concerns.
Recent stories linking the scheme to banditry have raised concerns among families, despite the scheme’s aggressive security measures.
The NYSC has often stated that misinformation can increase anxiety and undermine public trust in national institutions.
“The Scheme has been targeted on several occasions by purveyors of fake news and misinformation, making it imperative for the media and the general public to remain vigilant,” the statement warned.
NYSC was founded in 1973 to foster national unity and encourage Nigerian graduates to participate in community development.
Corps members are often sent to states other than their home state, which may include places with security issues, particularly in the North West and North East.
Over the years, the program has taken steps to protect members, such as relocating orientation camps from high-risk locations, providing military escorts as needed, and preserving life and health insurance coverage.
Despite these precautions, viral tales and social media narratives have periodically exacerbated anxieties, generating anxiety among families and the general public.
