PPA WITH BANDIT: NYSC to Award Certificates to Corps Members Who Spent Service Year in Kidnappers’ Captivity

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced a plan to issue certificates to corps members who were abducted and held captive during their service year. This decision, made by Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, the NYSC Director-General, acknowledges the severe trauma these individuals experienced while in captivity.

In a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday, August 23, 2024, General Ahmed confirmed that these rescued corps members would not be required to complete the usual national service requirements. This unprecedented move reflects the NYSC’s recognition of the extreme conditions under which these corps members endured their “PPA with bandits.”

The affected corps members were on their way to the NYSC orientation camp in Sokoto State when they were kidnapped in Zamfara State on August 17, 2023. The incident occurred as they traveled in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus, highlighting the ongoing security risks in the region.

This decision has sparked widespread discussion about the safety of corps members and the urgent need for improved security measures. It also sheds light on the persistent security challenges in Nigeria, particularly in areas where banditry and kidnappings are rampant. The NYSC’s compassionate response serves as a critical acknowledgment of the toll such traumatic experiences can have on young Nigerians serving their country.