ADC spokesperson suggests pausing NYSC for a year due to insecurity

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has suggested that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) be paused for a year. He believes this will help reorganize the scheme in light of the ongoing insecurity in the country.

Abdullahi, who used to be the Minister of Youth Development, shared his thoughts with PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday. He made it clear that this idea is his personal opinion and not the official stance of the ADC.

“It was my personal view, and I was speaking as a former Minister of Youth Development that has managed that sector before,” he said in a phone conversation.

He explained his views after discussing the recent kidnapping of potential corps members on their way to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Abdullahi stated that while the NYSC is important for national unity, the current security issues make it necessary to consider a temporary pause and reorganization of the scheme.

“I think the NYSC is still relevant. But I think we need to respond to the current situation of insecurity in the country,” he said. “If we were to advise the President, we think this is the time to suspend it for at least one year to give room for proper reorganisation, in such a way that it will protect the young people and also make the scheme worthwhile for them.”

Abdullahi pointed out that the problems the NYSC was created to solve after the Nigerian civil war are still valid today. He insisted that the way the NYSC operates should change to reflect the current security challenges facing Nigeria.

He also raised concerns about how a large group of prospective corps members could be kidnapped while traveling to their orientation camps. He suggested that the attackers might have known about their movement in advance but did not provide any evidence for this claim.

His comments came after the Thursday kidnapping of prospective corps members and other travelers going from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. PREMIUM TIMES reported that armed men attacked two buses around 6:30 a.m. on the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

According to the police, 10 victims were rescued thanks to security agencies' efforts, while they continue to search for those who are still missing. Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, later informed reporters that security teams had used drones to find the suspected hideout where about 19 prospective corps members were thought to be held.

Bosso explained that security personnel could not immediately enter the area because intelligence indicated it may contain improvised explosive devices. Families of the abducted corps members have reported that the kidnappers lowered their ransom demand from N50 million to N5 million per person.

Relatives also claimed that the captives were being mistreated. The police announced that they are still working to rescue the remaining captives.