NAS Advocates Reforms for NYSC Deployment in Light of Growing Insecurity

The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has urged for a significant overhaul in the deployment framework of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), recommending a suspension of postings to states facing severe insecurity.

In a statement released on Wednesday, NAS Captain Joseph Oteri expressed concerns that the escalating security issues in the nation represent a direct hazard to young graduates involved in the national service.

"Current security challenges across the country necessitate an urgent reevaluation of the operational aspects of the scheme, particularly in relation to corps members' safety," Oteri stated.

He emphasized that although the NYSC was established in 1973 following the Nigerian civil war to promote national unity, it should not place participants in life-threatening situations.

"National unity should never come at the expense of the lives and safety of Nigeria’s young graduates," he said, stressing the importance of safety over national service.

The association conveyed its worries about the increasing incidents of kidnappings, banditry, and violent assaults in various regions, highlighting that corps members are becoming more susceptible when traveling long distances for orientation and primary assignments.

"Cases of ransom kidnapping, banditry, and violent attacks on highways are becoming alarmingly common; young graduates are increasingly at risk from these dangers," Oteri pointed out.

NAS referenced both recent and historical examples, such as the reported kidnapping of a future corps member travelling to Sokoto and previous assaults involving corps members in Zamfara and the Federal Capital Territory, underlining the recurrence of these troubling incidents over the last ten years.

According to the organization, corps members have been victims of kidnappings, violent confrontations, and serious road accidents linked to deployment choices, highlighting the urgent need for reforms.

Nonetheless, the association refuted rumors claiming that families of kidnapped corps members are obligated to pay ransoms, clarifying that such notions are not supported by any official NYSC policy.

While acknowledging the contributions of the NYSC to national development, NAS insists that reforms are crucial and overdue.

"The safety of corps members must be treated as a national priority," stressed Oteri.

The association called for an immediate prohibition on postings to high-risk areas, including Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno, and Niger, citing ongoing issues with banditry and kidnapping in those locations.

"Corps members should no longer be assigned to regions classified as high-risk due to persistent insecurity," he added.

Furthermore, NAS proposed the incorporation of security risk evaluations into deployment decisions, which would enable corps members to serve closer to safer regions, improve travel arrangements, enhance insurance coverage, and implement effective emergency response protocols.

Despite these concerns, the association reaffirmed that the NYSC remains a vital institution for fostering national integration, but must transform to address current security realities.