The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has dismissed a pamphlet circulating on social media that allegedly encourages corps members to pay ransom if abducted, describing the document as fake and not sanctioned by the scheme.
In a statement posted on its official X handle on Thursday, the NYSC management said the document does not represent its policies, stressing that it has never instructed corps members to negotiate or pay ransom to kidnappers.
According to the statement, a consultant had presented a similar material to the scheme in 2021, but it was never approved or included in any official NYSC publication.
“The attention of the Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been drawn to a purported NYSC pamphlet advising corps members to pay ransom in the event of kidnapping,” the scheme said.
“While a similar document was presented to Management for consideration by a consultant in 2021, it was not adopted by the Scheme. Management, therefore, wishes to make it clear that the document being circulated is not an official NYSC publication and does not represent the Scheme’s policy… it should be ignored.”
The NYSC added that the safety of corps members remains a top priority and assured the public that it continues to work closely with security agencies and community stakeholders to ensure adequate protection across all states.
The clarification comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity and kidnapping threats facing young graduates deployed for national service.
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