The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is currently embroiled in a controversy over some security tips given to corps members.
In a handbook titled, “Security Awareness and Education Handbook For Corps Members and Staff'”, NYSC identified Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Lokoja-Okene, and Aba-Port Harcourt as , are among the roads categorised as dangerous.
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On page 56 of the document, corps members travelling on these roads were advised to inform their family members of their movement and make someone available for ransom payment in the event that they were kidnapped.
The handbook was distributed to corps members in Batch B Stream 1 cohort of the scheme.
The advice had triggered backlash on social media as some persons argued that it gave an indication that Nigeria was heading towards a failed state.
However, in a statement issued on Friday, NYSC described the information as misleading, denying that such advice was given.
“The attention of Management of the National Youth Sevice Corps has been drawn to a fake release making the rounds on the social media to the effect that Corps Members travelling on “high risk roads” should alert their families, friends and colleagues in order to have somebody to pay off the ransom that could be demanded in the event of being kidnapped.”
“Management wishes to emphatically state that the clause quoted is not embedded in NYSC Security Tips pamphlet which was put together by a highly respected retired security expert.
“Management wishes to appeal to the general public to always clarify issues with the Scheme. Please, be wary of falling prey to the antics of mischief makers out to ridicule the Scheme.
“Management shall continue to prioritise the security and welfare of Corps Members and staff at all times,” the statement read.
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