A Nigerian, identified as Mr. Adetunji, published a missing person notice on his Facebook page on 24 September, declaring Adewebi Opeoluwa, a serving NYSC member in Osogbo, Osun State, missing. The notice appealed to the public for information about her whereabouts, stating that she had been incommunicado since Sunday, 20 September. The post quickly gained traction, causing concern among the NYSC community in Osun State.
However, an investigation launched by the Osun Directorate of the NYSC quickly uncovered that Opeoluwa was not missing, but had instead gone on a personal visit to Ado Ekiti. Upon realising the panic and anxiety her disappearance had caused, Opeoluwa took to her Facebook page to dispel the missing person narrative and apologise for her actions. In her public notice of retraction, she stated that she was safe and accounted for, and that her mother had raised an alarm when she was unable to reach her for some days.
Opeoluwa's public notice of retraction was made on 28 September 2026, and in it, she sincerely apologised for any alarm, distress, or confusion the post may have caused the entire NYSC community in Osun State. She expressed regret for her indiscretions and appealed for forgiveness. The NYSC Osun Coordinator, Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, responded that Opeoluwa's case would be forwarded to the NYSC disciplinary committee for necessary punitive action.
Kubiangha stated that it is unethical for an individual to claim to have been kidnapped or missing when they are not, and that Opeoluwa's actions had exposed her parents to untold hardship. He promised that the Scheme would continue to sensitize corps members to understand that being on the fast lane or trying to pursue money or fame in the wrong way is destructive. The Coordinator also asked parents to create enough time for their children and to inculcate the right values in them.
Two principals of St. James's Grammar School, Ayetoro, where Opeoluwa is serving, were also present at the NYSC Secretariat to follow up on the case. Opeoluwa was initially deployed to Nasarawa State before being reposted to Osun State on health grounds. The NYSC community in Osun State has welcomed the revelation that Opeoluwa was not missing, and the apology from the individual at the centre of the story.
The incident highlights the potential consequences of social media misuse and the importance of verifying information before sharing it widely. The NYSC has urged corps members to use social media responsibly and to avoid actions that could bring the Scheme into disrepute. The disciplinary committee will now consider Opeoluwa's case and determine the appropriate course of action.
In conclusion, the viral story of a missing NYSC member in Osun State has been revealed to be a hoax, and the individual at the centre of the story has apologised for her actions. The NYSC has taken steps to address the issue and to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Scheme will continue to sensitize corps members on the importance of responsible social media use and the need to uphold the values of the NYSC.
Key points
- The viral story of a missing NYSC member in Osun State was a hoax, and the individual at the centre of the story has apologised for her actions.
- The NYSC has taken steps to address the issue and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- The Scheme will continue to sensitize corps members on the importance of responsible social media use and the need to uphold the values of the NYSC.
