The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called on the Federal Government to review the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme by allowing participants to serve within their states of origin or residence.
The group cited rising insecurity and increasing attacks on corps members as the basis for its demand.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere said the growing wave of kidnappings and killings involving prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps has made interstate postings unsafe.
It cited cases including Sodiq Ogunlana, a Lagos State University graduate who was shot and abducted while travelling to Ede, Osun State; Lateefah, a Kwara Polytechnic graduate kidnapped en route to Taraba State; and Gift David Samiya, abducted along the Akwanga–Jos Road.
Describing the trend as alarming, the group said it had earlier raised concerns in 2021 when corps members were attacked by bandits.
“No Nigerian deserves to be kidnapped or killed. Corps members deserve special protection due to the nature of their service. If the scheme cannot be suspended, it should be modified to ensure safer postings,” the group said.
Afenifere warned that continued exposure of corps members to unsafe routes could erode public confidence in the scheme.
It also linked the issue to the broader security crisis, noting increased attacks by bandits and terrorists across the country.
The group called for stronger intelligence operations and the adoption of non-kinetic strategies to tackle insecurity.
It expressed concern over the use of motorcycles by armed groups, questioning how such movements evade detection.
Afenifere further called for an investigation into illegal mining activities and alleged links between displaced communities and the influx of miners.
It also referenced unverified reports of aircraft allegedly supplying arms to bandits, urging authorities to investigate.
