The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently strengthen security measures for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), warned that rising cases of abductions and killings of corps members have made the scheme increasingly dangerous for young Nigerians.
In its 2026 Salah message issued on Thursday, 19th March, 2026, the group’s Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, backed growing public concerns demanding either far-reaching safety reforms or a possible suspension of the scheme if adequate protection cannot be guaranteed.
MURIC cited several recent and past incidents involving corps members, including abductions along major highways and reported ransom payments, describing the trend as “alarming” and a serious threat to national youth service participation. The group warned that the situation is affecting the morale and psychological well-being of young graduates deployed for national service.
Quoting constitutional provisions, the group reminded the Federal Government of its obligation under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which placed the security and welfare of citizens as a primary responsibility of the state. It urged authorities to “add a human face” to the NYSC scheme by prioritizing safety and welfare.
MURIC also condemned reports suggesting that corps members or their families are made to bear financial responsibility in the event of kidnapping, describing such arrangements as unacceptable.
The organization made three key demands: the introduction of comprehensive life insurance coverage for corps members, the provision of military escorts for those posted to high-risk areas, and an end to policies shifting security burdens to families.
The group reiterated that the NYSC scheme must not become “a pact with death and captivity,” but rather a platform that guarantees safety, service, and national unity.
The NYSC scheme is administered by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) under the supervision of the Federal Government of Nigeria, amid ongoing national debates over insecurity affecting deployments in some regions, including parts of Zamfara State.
