On October 3, 2026, Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, urged for the immediate suspension and eventual abolition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. This call comes after 19 prospective corps members were kidnapped by gunmen in Imo State while traveling to their orientation camps. The incident occurred on Thursday when the victims, heading to camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states, were attacked along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha.
The kidnapped individuals were traveling from Ibadan in Oyo State to their respective camps. According to reports from the Imo State Police Command, security agencies have managed to rescue some of the victims and are working to locate the others still in captivity. The police command's efforts are being supported by additional personnel, including the Deputy Inspector-General of Police for Operations, Shehu Nadada, and two police commissioners.
In response to the kidnapping, Sowore stated that the NYSC has "outlived its usefulness in its current form," a stance he has held since his first presidential campaign in 2019. He emphasized that forcing young Nigerians to travel across the country for national service without ensuring their safety is not justifiable. Sowore suggested that the NYSC should be suspended immediately and eventually abolished, allowing corps members to serve in their home states instead.
Sowore proposed replacing the NYSC with a two-year voluntary National Job Corps under his proposed "Sowore 2027 presidency." This new program aims to provide jobs, skill development, public works, technology, agriculture, healthcare, education, and other areas crucial for national growth. He stressed that young Nigerians need jobs, skill development opportunities, and safety rather than mandatory assignments in dangerous situations.
The kidnappers had reportedly demanded N50 million for each of the 19 prospective corps members, totaling N950 million. This ransom demand highlights the severity of the situation and the risks associated with the NYSC program, especially given the current insecurity in Nigeria. Sowore's call for the program's suspension and abolition has sparked a conversation about the safety and effectiveness of the NYSC.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has taken steps to ensure the rescue of the kidnapped victims by deploying additional resources to Imo State. The search-and-rescue mission is being led by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police for Operations, with support from two police commissioners. This response underscores the government's efforts to address the situation and ensure the safe return of the victims.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of participants in the NYSC program, particularly in areas prone to kidnapping and banditry. As the government continues to work towards rescuing the kidnapped victims, the debate over the future of the NYSC program is likely to continue. Sowore's proposal for a voluntary National Job Corps has been presented as an alternative that prioritizes the safety and development of young Nigerians.
Key points
- Omoyele Sowore calls for the immediate suspension and eventual abolition of the NYSC program due to safety concerns.
- The kidnapping of 19 prospective corps members in Imo State highlights the risks associated with the NYSC program.
- Sowore proposes replacing the NYSC with a two-year voluntary National Job Corps focusing on job creation and skill development.
