MURIC seeks insurance, military escort for corps members

Michael Olumide

An Islamic human rights advocacy group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the growing wave of killings and abductions of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), warning that the scheme risks losing its relevance if the safety of participants cannot be guaranteed.

The group made this known in its 2026 Ramadan message issued by its Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, where it aligned itself with increasing public calls for either comprehensive protection of corps members or the outright scrapping of the programme.

MURIC described the ongoing advocacy for the safety of corps members as “just, altruistic and patriotic,” noting that it reflects a broader concern about the value of human life and accountability in governance.

According to the group, the rising insecurity across parts of the country has turned the NYSC scheme into what it described as a “pact with death and captivity,” citing disturbing statistics and recent incidents involving corps members.

The organisation referenced data indicating that at least 83 corps members were abducted between 2013 and 2023, with a significant number of cases recorded in high-risk states.

It also highlighted the tragic killing of a corps member, Musa Usman Abba, who was abducted in January 2026 while travelling to Sokoto State for his national service. Despite the payment of a reported N10 million ransom by his family, he was allegedly killed by bandits in early March.

In another incident cited by MURIC, a corps member regained freedom only after the payment of N10 million and additional items, including motorcycles, to kidnappers in Zamfara State.

The group further recalled a December 2020 attack along the Lokoja-Abuja highway, where kidnappers killed a corps member and abducted others, describing the trend as deeply troubling and psychologically damaging to Nigerian youths.

“These sad incidents should not be happening to our youths. It is already assaulting their psyche and militarising them,” the statement read.

MURIC also expressed concern over reports that some NYSC officials allegedly required corps members to sign undertakings holding their parents financially responsible in the event of abduction, describing such actions as alarming and irresponsible.

The organisation stressed that the Federal Government has a constitutional obligation to protect citizens, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

To address the crisis, MURIC put forward a set of demands, including the introduction of a comprehensive life insurance policy for all corps members, the provision of mandatory military escorts for those posted to high-risk areas, and a prohibition of any policy that shifts the responsibility for their safety to parents.

It urged the government to urgently reform the NYSC scheme to ensure it becomes a safe and meaningful experience for Nigerian youths rather than a dangerous obligation.

The call adds to mounting pressure on authorities to reassess the structure and security framework of the NYSC programme amid worsening insecurity in parts of the country.