The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on the Federal Government to allow National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to serve within their own geopolitical zones, citing the increasing threat of kidnapping and banditry across Nigeria.
This appeal comes in the wake of the recent rescue of NYSC members who were abducted while traveling from Akwa Ibom to Sokoto State.
Afenifere commended the Federal Government and security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the kidnapped corps members but stressed the need for enhanced security measures.
In a statement issued by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group emphasized the importance of assigning NYSC participants to serve within their home regions rather than posting them to distant locations.
The statement highlighted the persistent security challenges in the country, noting that despite some successes, the overall situation remains precarious. Many Nigerians, the group pointed out, continue to live in fear due to the activities of kidnappers and bandits, who are increasingly targeting both ordinary citizens and high-profile individuals.
Ajayi urged the government to tackle the root causes of these security issues, particularly in regions where government authority is weak or absent. Afenifere expressed concern about the lack of effective governance in certain areas, which has left them vulnerable to criminal activities by terrorist groups, human traffickers, and other lawless elements.
The group also drew attention to the porous nature of Nigeria’s borders, which allows for the easy influx of small arms and light weapons from the Sahel region, exacerbating the problems of crime and banditry. Additionally, Afenifere criticized the negative impact of illegal mining, which has led to poor governance in affected areas. This situation has resulted in inadequate service delivery, displacement of local populations, and rising unemployment among farmers and youths who are forced off their lands.
Afenifere warned that these conditions create an environment where individuals, especially the youth, are more likely to be lured into criminal activities, including banditry, further complicating the country’s security landscape.
The group reiterated its call for the Federal Government to take decisive action in addressing these issues and to reconsider the current NYSC deployment strategy in light of the ongoing security threats.
