Afenifere Demands Urgent NYSC Reform After Kidnap of 20 Graduates

Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has expressed grave concern over the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. The group called on the Federal Government to implement promised reforms to ensure the safety of young Nigerians undertaking national service. Afenifere also urged the government to amend the NYSC Act, allowing graduates to serve in their states of origin, residence, or within their geopolitical zones.

The organisation highlighted the risk of kidnapping and other security threats faced by corps members who must travel long distances for their service. 20 graduates, who were travelling from Ibadan to Uyo and Bende, were abducted in Imo State. The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N100 million per victim, but later reduced it to N5 million per person.

Afenifere condemned the incident and emphasised the need to review the NYSC deployment structure. The group welcomed President Bola Tinubu's July 1 announcement of reforms to the NYSC scheme and urged authorities to expedite the legislative process. The organisation also appealed for the immediate rescue of the abducted graduates and called for a broader response to the country's security challenges.