The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has strongly dismissed claims circulating in a viral publication alleging that graduates deployed for national service are being “sold to bandits” through a so called “ransom clause.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Caroline Embu, Director of Information and Public Relations, on behalf of the NYSC management, the Scheme described the report as “misleading and alarmist,” stressing that no such provision exists in its laws or operations. “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,” the management said.
At the centre of the controversy is the case of Musa Usman Abba, which the NYSC clarified has been wrongly linked to the programme. “We deeply empathise with Mr. Musa Usman Abba and his family over the unfortunate incident, and we share in their concern during this difficult time… While this situation is distressing, it is important to clarify that he is not a serving Corps Member, having completed his national service in 2023,” the statement explained.
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Security and Welfare Measures
Acknowledging the wider national security challenges, the NYSC emphasised its ongoing collaboration with security agencies to safeguard corps members. “Corps Members posted to areas assessed as high risk are provided with adequate security arrangements, including military escorts. This proactive approach has been consistently implemented since 2024 in the North West and much earlier in some parts of the North East,” the Scheme noted.
The organisation also highlighted steps taken to relocate orientation camps from volatile states such as Kebbi, Kaduna, Kwara, Borno, Gombe, and Plateau to safer locations.
Beyond security, the NYSC reaffirmed its welfare commitments. “The NYSC remains a responsible and responsive institution that places the highest premium on the welfare, safety, and well being of Corps Members and staff,” it said. The Scheme pointed to its long standing insurance partnership with Capital Express Assurance Limited, which has provided life insurance coverage since 2004, extending even three weeks beyond service completion. Corps members are also enrolled under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Warning Against Fake News
The NYSC expressed concern that repeated misinformation could erode public trust. “The Scheme has been targeted on several occasions by purveyors of fake news and misinformation, making it imperative for the media and the general public to remain vigilant,” the statement warned.
Reaffirming its mandate, the NYSC concluded: “We remain committed to national unity and the safety of corps members.”
This latest clarification underscores the human dimension of the controversy—balancing the fears of families with the Scheme’s assurance that corps members’ safety and welfare remain at the heart of its mission.