… advises Corps Members, NYSC Staff to make ransom arrangement for Kidnappers when traveling the roads.
“If it has degenerated to this, the scheme can be suspended already.” This was the caption from a Nigerian Twitter user, Anietie Briggs when he tweeted a page of the handbook issued by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to serving Corp members and staff of the scheme.
Troubled by the content of the page, Nigerians have reacted in shock that a Federal Government’s approved book would suggest to commuters to prepare ransom ahead for Kidnappers while traveling high risks roads in the country.
The page of the “Security Awareness and Education Handbook for Corps Members and Staff” which has gone viral on social media platforms, listed Abuja-Lokoja-Okene, Abuja-Kaduna, and Aba-PortHarcourt roads as high risk roads.
The security information did not stop there, but also advised Corps Members and Staff of the scheme to make ransom arrangement before traveling the roads.
“When traveling in high-risk roads such as Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Lokoja-Okene, or Aba-PortHarcourt roads, then alert your family members, friends and colleagues, in order to have someone on hand to pay off the ransom that could be demanded.” the page stated.
Reactions
@chrismiles78 wrote: I can’t believe I am reading this in a government authored manual. This is how you treat your freshly trained tertiary graduates? The well spring of talent that will build your economic engines?!
This is a shameless acceptance of helplessness in the face of insecurity. Jesus!
@ThinkThank15 said: The government is telling you on time that kidnapping is a legitimate business in Nigeria. When you pay the kidnappers the govt collects VAT. It is what it is
@ThreeLeftThumbs: How do you describe a govt that thinks it’s wise to reduce this kind of thing into writing?
@Nnaeki: It’s a lie?! I know the government is irresponsible but has it reached the point of madness? This is insane.
@iamlighte: And they are still posting people’s children to these places knowing they can kidnapped, what kind of country is this!
Rebuttal
The Management of the NYSC has in a rebuttal via its official page described it as a fake release, stating that clause quoted is fake.
“The attention of Management of the National Youth Sevice Corps has been drawn to a fake release making the rounds on the social media to the effect that Corps Members travelling on “high risk roads” should alert their families, friends and colleagues in order to have somebody to pay off the ransom that could be demanded in the event of being kidnapped.
“Management wishes to emphatically state that the clause quoted is not embedded in NYSC Security Tips pamphlet which was put together by a highly respected retired security expert.
“Management wishes to appeal to the general public to always clarify issues with the Scheme.
Please, be wary of falling prey to the antics of mischief makers out to ridicule the Scheme.
“Management shall continue to prioritise the security and welfare of Corps Members and staff at all times.”
