A new handbook issued by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on security awareness to corps members and staff have continued to generate controversy.
The NYSC handbook, titled ‘Security Awareness and Education Handbook for Corps Members and Staff’, was given to serving corps members, particularly those in 2021 Batch ‘B’, Stream II who just completed their orientation course at the NYSC camps.
In particular, the advisory on page 57, which has shocked many Nigerians read: “When travelling on high risk roads such as Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Lokoja-Okene or Aba-Port-Harcourt 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 NYSC has repeatedly warned corps members against unauthorised journeys. In a section of the handbook titled ‘Advisory Tips to Minimise Being Victims of Kidnappers or Hostage Takers’, the NYSC implores corps members not to ply isolated routes and warns that “most Nigerians are vulnerable.”
The scheme noted that kidnapping has reached an alarming rate such that corps members and staff should be security conscious so as to minimise the chances of falling victim to kidnappers.
The advisory reads: “All staff and corps members should note that kidnap in our environment takes place along major roads, mostly within forested areas and those with clustered high ground. The timings of operations by abductors most time take place from daybreak and just before dusk.
“For hostage-taking, the criminals carry out long stretch of surveillance on target spots, including schools, houses and isolated business compounds. Kidnappers also use the victim’s routine and predictability to their advantage.
“Vary timing, routes, patterns, mode of transportation, locations and any other activity that could be used to predict your presence at certain routes, place and time.
“Keep your car windows and doors closed and locked at all times, especially at night.
“When travelling on high risk roads such as Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Lokoja-Okene or Aba-Port-Harcourt 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.
“Be on your guard in your immediate environment and remain suspicious all the time. While moving within the urban centres, avoid isolated roads. Take only basic requirements while travelling. Do not accept an offer of a lift to unfamiliar places. Dress moderately while on journey, especially by road. Delete all financial or business transactions from communication gadgets such as ipad or handsets.
“Identify secure places such as police stations/posts or Road Safety posts or military barracks or even hospital along your routes.
“Identify the danger points along your routes including sharp bends, tight curves or railway crossings that block your views from seeing far in front or back.
“When you see barricades along the road from a distance that you suspect are not mounted by law enforcement agents, react. Slow down or ask the driver to do so.
“In this period of ICT, do not travel with communication gadgets like laptops, ipad, handsets and other electronic facilities that you stored personal information, such as finances, net worth, investment and business dealings as kidnappers will charge according to your worth. Similarly, do share such information with only family members and business partners.
“Always keep a low profile and avoid an ostentatious lifestyle.”
However, in a rebuttal, signed by the NYSC spokesperson, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, the agency described the report as fake, stating that the clause quoted is not embedded in the NYSC security tips pamphlet which was put together by a retired security expert.
The rebuttal reads: “The attention of the management of the National Youth Service Corps has been drawn to a fake release making the rounds on the social media to the effect of corps members travelling on high-risk roads. The clause quoted is not embedded in NYSC Security Tips pamphlet which was put together by a highly respected retired security expert.
“…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.”
However, a copy of the handbook obtained from two different corps members serving in different locations in the country reflected the controversial paragraph.
