Sowore Demands Suspension, Scrapping Of NYSC After Imo Abductions

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has called for the immediate suspension and eventual scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme following the abduction of prospective corps members in Imo State.

Sowore made the call in a post on X on Saturday, arguing that the latest incident demonstrated the risks graduates face when they are compelled to travel long distances to participate in the compulsory national service programme.

The prospective corps members were among passengers kidnapped after gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State on Thursday.

The victims were reportedly travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the attack occurred.

The Imo State Police Command later announced that security operatives had rescued some of the victims, while efforts were ongoing to locate and rescue those still in captivity.

Reacting to the development, Sowore said the NYSC had “outlived its usefulness in its present form,” noting that he had maintained the position since he contested the presidency for the first time in 2019.

“You cannot force young Nigerians to ‘serve their fatherland’ when the same country cannot guarantee their safety while they travel to their places of service.

“The NYSC should be suspended immediately and ultimately scrapped. In the meantime, all corps members should be given the option to serve within their states of origin.”

The AAC candidate said graduates should not be required to travel to distant and unfamiliar locations to fulfil a compulsory national obligation, especially against the backdrop of insecurity in several parts of the country.

He further proposed the replacement of the NYSC with a two-year voluntary National Job Corps under what he described as a “Sowore 2027 presidency.”

According to him, the proposed programme would provide opportunities in employment, vocational and skills development, public works, technology, agriculture, healthcare, education and other sectors considered important to national development.

“Young Nigerians need jobs, opportunities, skills and security, not compulsory deployment into danger,” he said.

Sowore’s remarks came as security agencies stepped up operations to rescue the abducted prospective corps members and other passengers.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue efforts.

Two commissioners of police were also deployed to reinforce the operation.