A civil society organization, the Human Rights and Justice Group International, has called on the Federal Government to suspend the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) due to the increasing incidents of killings and kidnappings in the country.
The group made this demand in light of the escalating violence, including kidnappings, terrorist attacks, and other criminal activities across Nigeria.
In February 2023, gunmen abducted 15 NYSC members at a motor park in Iseke, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, while they were en route to Lagos. Fortunately, the state Police Command successfully rescued them.
In another incident in August 2023, eight graduates from Akwa Ibom State’s tertiary institutions, heading to Sokoto State for the mandatory national service, were kidnapped by gunmen in Zamfara along a highway.
More recently, on January 7, kidnappers attacked the Sagwari community in Abuja, kidnapping 11 residents, including a mother, her four children, and a hotel receptionist.
Tragically, a final year student of Bayero University, Kano, Talatu Salihu, who was among the victims, was killed by the terrorists when her family couldn’t meet their ransom demand. The terrorists also threatened to harm her two siblings if the ransom was not paid.
Speaking to journalists, the CSO’s Executive Director, Prince Nze, expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation, emphasizing that the NYSC postings were jeopardizing the lives of young participants.
Nze stated, “For now, due to insecurity, the NYSC should be put on hold. The essence of NYSC is to integrate the youths.”
He highlighted instances where youths sent to the North from Akwa Ibom State had been unaccounted for over eight months, causing distress to their families.
Nze concluded by underscoring the need for the government to prioritize the safety of citizens and address the prevailing insecurity in the country.
In contrast, Professor Nnamdi Aduba, a Professor of International Law at the University of Jos, disagreed with Nze’s stance. He argued that shielding the youth from the nation’s problems is not the solution, emphasizing the importance of programs like NYSC in fostering national unity and providing opportunities for young graduates.
Aduba questioned the idea of suspending NYSC, pointing out that it serves as a valuable starting point for many young graduates in the absence of available jobs. He concluded by acknowledging that insecurity is a challenge in every society but suggested that NYSC remains a crucial avenue for youth development.
