The National Association of Seadogs, NAS, (Pyrates Confraternity) has called for an immediate overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, deployment system, urging authorities to stop posting corps members to states plagued by insecurity.

The association in a statement signed by its Cap’n, Dr Joseph Oteri, warned that worsening insecurity across Nigeria now poses a direct threat to young graduates participating in the scheme.

According to him: “The present security realities across the country demand an urgent reassessment of how the scheme operates, particularly about the safety of corps members.”

He stressed that while the NYSC, established in 1973 after the civil war, has played a critical role in promoting national unity, it must not expose participants to life-threatening risks. National unity should never come at the cost of the lives and safety of Nigeria’s young graduates,” he added.

NAS cited rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and violent attacks across several parts of the country, noting that corps members travelling long distances for orientation and primary assignments are increasingly vulnerable.

“Incidents of kidnapping for ransom, banditry, and violent assaults on highways have become more widespread; young graduates are increasingly vulnerable to such threats,” Oteri stated.

He referenced recent and past incidents, including the abduction of a prospective corps member travelling to Sokoto and earlier attacks involving corps members in Zamfara and the Federal Capital Territory.

It explained that such cases reflect a disturbing pattern over the past decade, where corps members have faced kidnappings, violent attacks and fatal road accidents linked to deployment.

The association also dismissed viral claims that families of kidnapped corps members are required to pay ransom, noting that no official NYSC policy supports such assertions.

While acknowledging the scheme’s contributions to national development, NAS insisted that reforms are overdue.

“The safety of corps members must be treated as a national priority,” Oteri said.

The group specifically called for a ban on postings to high-risk states, naming Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno and Niger as areas where frequent attacks have made travel dangerous.

“Corps members should no longer be posted to states classified as high-risk due to persistent banditry and kidnapping,” he said.

NAS further recommended integrating security risk assessments into deployment decisions, allowing corps members to serve closer to safer regions, improving organised travel arrangements, expanding insurance coverage, and establishing emergency response systems.

Despite its concerns, the association maintained that the NYSC remains a vital institution but must evolve to reflect current realities. (Vanguard)

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