The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called for urgent reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme following the abduction of 20 prospective corps members travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps.
Afenifere urged the Federal Government to amend the NYSC Act to allow graduates to serve in their states of origin or residence, or at least within their geopolitical zones, in order to reduce the security risks associated with long-distance travel.
The organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, while expressing concern over the kidnapping and sympathising with the victims’ families.
The 20 graduates reportedly left the Samonda area of Ibadan on September 30, 2026, but were abducted near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State while travelling towards Akwa Ibom and Abia states.
Afenifere said it had repeatedly advocated changes to the NYSC deployment system, particularly since 2021, arguing that corps members should not be required to travel across the country when security conditions remain uncertain.
The group also called on the NYSC to introduce interim measures allowing graduates to serve within their states of origin, states of residence or neighbouring states within their geopolitical zones while the proposed legislative changes are being processed.
It further appealed to the Federal Government, security agencies and the Oyo and Imo State Governments to intensify efforts to secure the immediate release of the abducted graduates.
Afenifere commended President Bola Tinubu for approving additional military formations in several states, but stressed that expanding military presence alone would not permanently solve Nigeria’s kidnapping and banditry crisis.
The organisation also called for stronger enforcement of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 as part of broader efforts to tackle terrorism, kidnapping and related crimes.
The latest development has renewed debate over whether the NYSC scheme, established in 1973 to promote national integration, should be redesigned to reflect the country’s current security realities.
#NYSC #Afenifere #NigeriaNews #Kidnapping #Security #Corpers #OyoState #ImoState #Tinubu #NationalYouthService #OnpointGist
