Insecurity heightens anxiety as NYSC camps open in high-risk states

Anxiety has gripped prospective corps members and their families as the 2026 Batch A (Stream 1) National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation exercise begins amid worsening insecurity in parts of the country.

The 21-day orientation, which commenced on January 21 across all 37 camps nationwide, is taking place as northern states battle banditry, kidnappings, terrorist attacks and bomb scares. High-risk states include Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, Plateau, Yobe, Borno, Kogi and Kwara.

The NYSC had announced in September 2025 that about 650,000 graduates would be mobilised in 2026, up from 400,000 in 2025. However, only about 40 per cent of registered corps members are participating in the current stream.

Roughly 8,000 corps members are expected to attend orientation in the high-risk states. Yobe has sworn in about 1,200 corps members, Kaduna is hosting an estimated 2,000, Katsina about 2,050, Zamfara 600, while Sokoto and Kebbi are receiving about 1,900 and 1,700 respectively.

Corps members already in camps described tense journeys and lingering fear. Some reported travelling for over 24 hours, breaking trips in safer towns due to security concerns. Many said anxiety peaked upon receiving their posting letters but eased slightly after seeing heavy security presence at camps.

Despite reassurances, several corps members said they planned to restrict movement, avoid late-night activities and consider redeployment after orientation.

Parents have also raised concerns. The National President of the Parents-Teachers Association of Nigeria, Haruna Danjuma, urged governments and security agencies to provide maximum protection for corps members, calling for collaboration with traditional and religious leaders.

In response to security threats, some states have relocated orientation camps. Zamfara moved its camp from Tsafe to Gusau, Kaduna shifted from Sabon Gaya to Kurmi Marshi, and Kwara relocated from Yikpata to Ilorin in September 2025.

State governments and NYSC officials insist adequate security measures are in place, with police, military and paramilitary personnel deployed around camps. However, public affairs analysts have called for a comprehensive review of camp locations in volatile areas and stronger national security measures ahead of future deployments.

Efforts to reach the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.