The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has moved to distance itself from a pamphlet circulating widely on social media that allegedly advises corps members to pay ransom should they be kidnapped. The NYSC has categorically disowned the document, labeling it as fake and asserting that it does not reflect the Scheme’s official security policies.
Unapproved material and official denial
In an official statement released by the NYSC Management, the agency clarified the origins and status of the controversial material. The NYSC acknowledged that a document similar in nature had been presented for consideration by a consultant in 2021. However, the Scheme was emphatic that this document was never approved or adopted as an official NYSC publication.
The statement explicitly read: “The attention of the Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been drawn to a purported NYSC pamphlet advising corps members to pay ransom in the event of kidnapping. While a similar document was presented to Management for consideration by a consultant in 2021, it was not adopted by the Scheme.”
The NYSC is urging all staff and corps members, as well as the general public, to disregard the material entirely, stressing that it does not represent the Scheme’s official policy regarding the security of its personnel. This swift denial aims to quash concerns and misinformation regarding the highly sensitive issue of security and ransom payments.
Commitment to staff and corps member security
The NYSC Management took the opportunity presented by the incident to reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and safety of both its staff and corps members nationwide.
The Scheme assured stakeholders that it continues to work diligently with relevant security agencies and other stakeholders to enhance protection measures and effectively respond to the various emerging security threats across the country.
The statement concluded with the Scheme’s patriotic motto, reinforcing its commitment to service: “Nigeria is Ours; Nigeria we serve.” This serves to stabilize public confidence following the circulation of the misleading document.
