Research Finds at Least 40 NYSC Members Abducted in One Year

At least 40 serving and prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC have reportedly been abducted in separate incidents across Nigeria within one year, highlighting growing security risks facing young graduates travelling for national service.

The findings, reported by Sunday Vanguard, followed the abduction of 20 prospective corps members in Imo State on October 1 while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. The victims were rescued on October 7 after spending seven days in captivity during a joint operation involving the police, military, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.

The incident occurred weeks after 16 corps members returning from an orientation camp in Bayelsa State were abducted along the Aloma-Egane axis in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State on August 26. All 16 were subsequently rescued following a coordinated security operation.

Other reported cases included the January abduction of prospective corps member Binuyo Lateefah in Kogi State while travelling to Taraba, the April abduction of Gift David Samiya along the Akwanga-Jos Road while travelling to Maiduguri, and the abduction of Lagos State University graduate Ogunlana Adetola Sodiq while travelling to an orientation camp in Osun State.

Serving corps member Eunice Ameh was also abducted in Abuja in May and released four days later.

Security governance expert Professor Al Chukwuma Okoli attributed the vulnerability of corps members partly to predictable deployment patterns, long-distance journeys and inadequate security along certain highways.

He called for cooperation between the Federal Government, NYSC and security agencies to establish safer travel protocols, secure accommodation and rapid-response arrangements for corps members.

Forensic investigator and criminal intelligence specialist Alfred Ononugbo identified weaknesses in intelligence gathering, policing and inter-agency collaboration as factors undermining efforts to combat kidnapping. He advocated improved police training, greater use of technology and stronger community participation in security management.

Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the recurring abductions raised concerns about the government's responsibility to protect young Nigerians undertaking compulsory national service.

He urged the NYSC and security agencies to develop regularly updated security maps, identify high-risk routes and provide specific travel advisories before mobilisation exercises. He also recommended coordinated transportation and security-supported movement for corps members travelling through identified kidnapping hotspots.

Nwanguma further called for improved investigations and prosecution of kidnappers, alongside medical and psychosocial support for rescued victims.

He maintained that security measures should focus not only on rescuing abducted corps members but also on preventing attacks and dismantling the criminal networks responsible.