NYSC Disowns Viral Pamphlet Advising Corps Members to Pay Ransom

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has distanced itself from a pamphlet circulating on social media which allegedly advises corps members to pay ransom if kidnapped. The scheme described the material as fake and insisted it is not an official NYSC publication.

The clarification was issued on Thursday via the NYSC’s X handle, following widespread online reactions to the resurfaced document.

According to the statement, although a consultant submitted a similar document for consideration in 2021, it was never adopted.

“The attention of the Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been drawn to a purported NYSC pamphlet advising corps members to pay ransom in the event of kidnapping,” the statement read.
“While a similar document was presented to Management for consideration by a consultant in 2021, it was not adopted by the Scheme.
“Management, therefore, wishes to make it clear that the document being circulated is not an official NYSC publication and does not represent the Scheme’s policy regarding staff and corps members’ security; as such, it should be ignored.”

NYSC Reassures Corps Members of Safety

The scheme reiterated that it remains committed to the safety of corps members nationwide and continues to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to enhance protection.

The management urged corps members and the public to disregard the misleading pamphlet.
Pamphlet Reappears Amid Heightened National Tension

The controversial document first gained attention in September 2021 after images of its content went viral. It advised travellers on “high-risk roads” to notify relatives so someone would be available to “pay off the ransom that could be demanded” in case of abduction.

At the time, the NYSC initially dismissed the document as fake but later admitted that variations had been circulated, leading to an internal investigation.

Its reemergence comes at a time of rising national anxiety following recent abductions in Kwara State and renewed security debates, including US President Donald Trump’s recent threat of military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

The NYSC called for calm, assuring corps members that the scheme would continue to monitor developments and provide accurate information as needed.