NYSC Refutes Allegations of Exposing Corps Members to Banditry, Denies Existence of 'Ransom Clause

 

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has strongly dismissed as false and misleading a viral report claiming that the scheme exposes corps members to banditry and operates a "ransom clause" that shifts responsibility for kidnapping ransoms to families.

In an official statement, the NYSC management reacted to the alarmist write-up titled “Urgent: The NYSC Death Trap, Our Graduates Are Being Sold to Bandits.” The scheme described the publication as lacking journalistic balance, failing to seek its side of the story, and capable of inciting fear while undermining public confidence in the national service programme.

Key Denials from NYSC

No 'Ransom Clause' Exists: “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.”ecac5e

No Policy of Exposure to Banditry: The NYSC emphasised that corps members posted to high-risk areas receive adequate protection, including military escorts in collaboration with security agencies. This proactive measure has been in place since 2024 in the North-West and earlier in parts of the North-East.

Clarification on Specific Case: The statement distanced the scheme from the case of Musa Usman Abba, noting that he was not a serving corps member at the time of the incident (having completed service in 2023). The NYSC expressed sympathy but rejected any linkage to its operations.

Safety Measures Highlighted by NYSC

The scheme reaffirmed its commitment to corps members' welfare and safety, pointing to several ongoing initiatives:

Relocation of orientation camps from high-risk locations to safer zones in states including Kebbi, Kaduna, Kwara, Borno, Gombe, and Plateau.

Long-standing partnerships for insurance coverage (with Capital Express Assurance Limited since 2004, extending up to three weeks after service) and enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Expenditure of over ₦500 million on urgent medical interventions for corps members in the last five years.

The NYSC urged the public and media to always verify information with the scheme before dissemination, warning against the spread of fake news that could harm national institutions and the noble objectives of the NYSC programme, which promotes national unity and development.

This latest rebuttal comes amid broader public concerns over insecurity on Nigerian highways, where corps members and other travellers have faced risks from banditry and kidnapping in recent years. However, the scheme maintains that no serving corps member has been killed or abducted by bandits in certain high-risk zones under its current protective framework.

The original viral report, which referenced specific incidents and alleged systemic issues, has circulated widely on social media and some platforms, prompting the swift official response.