By Juliet Ezeh
Growing insecurity across Nigeria has triggered fresh concerns over the safety of young graduates participating in the national service programme, with parents calling on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to protect corps members.
The National President of the Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria, Haruna Danjuma, said many parents are increasingly worried about the risks their children face during the compulsory national service year.
According to him, the government must strengthen security measures to safeguard corps members deployed to different parts of the country.
Danjuma stated that since participation in the National Youth Service Corps programme is mandatory for Nigerian graduates, authorities have a responsibility to ensure their safety throughout the service year.
He suggested that state governments and local security agencies should formally guarantee the safety of corps members before they are posted to their states of assignment.
The PTA leader explained that parents invest years raising and educating their children, making it devastating when such lives are endangered during the national service programme.
Security concerns surrounding the scheme intensified following reports of attacks, kidnappings, and killings involving corps members in different parts of the country in recent years.
Human rights advocates have also raised concerns about the welfare and security arrangements for participants in the programme.
The Executive Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said families’ fears were understandable given the increasing cases of insecurity affecting young graduates during their service year.
Sanusi urged authorities managing the scheme to introduce stronger protective measures, particularly by avoiding the deployment of corps members to areas facing severe security threats.
He added that institutions responsible for mobilising corps members must ensure their safety and welfare throughout the duration of the programme.
Recent incidents have further amplified public anxiety about the safety of corps members travelling to orientation camps or serving in remote communities.
One such case involved a corps member from Gusau in Zamfara State who was reportedly abducted while travelling to Sokoto to resume his national service.
The incident has renewed calls for stronger security arrangements to protect thousands of young graduates deployed annually under the national service programme.
The NYSC scheme, established decades ago to promote national unity and integration among Nigerian youths, requires graduates below a certain age to undertake a year of service in states other than their own.
However, analysts say the worsening security environment across several regions has raised serious questions about whether current safety measures are adequate to protect participants.
Observers believe that improving security coordination between federal and state authorities will be crucial to restoring confidence in the programme.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.