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Anxiety has gripped thousands of prospective corps members and their families as the 2026 Batch A (Stream 1) orientation exercise of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) begins nationwide, particularly in states battling banditry, kidnappings, terrorism, and bomb scares.
From Zamfara to Kaduna, Borno, Yobe, Plateau and Katsina, corps members embarking on the mandatory 21-day orientation are undertaking long and tense journeys, despite assurances from authorities that adequate security measures are in place.
The concerns come amid a recent surge in terrorist attacks, killings, mass abductions, and bomb scares across parts of northern Nigeria.
NYSC Mobilisation Details
In a statement issued on January 6, 2026, the NYSC announced that the orientation exercise would commence on Wednesday, January 21, across all 37 orientation camps in the country.
Earlier, in September 2025, the scheme disclosed plans to mobilise about 650,000 graduates across all streams in 2026—an increase from the 400,000 deployed in 2025.
However, only about 40 per cent of registered prospective corps members are expected to participate in the current stream, with the remaining 60 per cent scheduled for subsequent batches.
High-Risk States and Expected Numbers
Based on recent security reports, several states have been identified as flashpoints of violence and criminal activity. These include Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Yobe, and Borno.
Although official deployment figures are yet to be released, Saturday PUNCH gathered that about 8,000 corps members are projected to take part in the orientation exercise across these high-risk states.
- Yobe State has sworn in about 1,200 corps members
- Kaduna State is expected to host approximately 2,000
- Katsina State is projected to receive 2,050
- Zamfara State will host about 600, according to its NYSC coordinator
- Sokoto and Kebbi states are expected to receive about 1,900 and 1,700, respectively
Corps Members Recount Fearful Journeys
Several corps members currently undergoing orientation described their journeys as stressful and frightening.
A corps member in Zamfara State, who spoke anonymously due to NYSC regulations, said the fear of bandit attacks dominated his thoughts after receiving his posting letter.
“My main fear is insecurity—the fear of bandits and kidnappers,” he said.
The Microbiology graduate disclosed that he spent nearly 28 hours travelling from Plateau State, sleeping overnight in a village near Funtua before reaching camp.
“Even with security personnel around, you can’t predict attacks from non-state actors,” he added.
Another corps member in Zamfara said he broke his journey from Jos into two legs, spending the night in Zaria due to safety concerns.
“All through the journey, I feared our bus might be attacked. We arrived safely, but the fear is still there,” he said, while noting the presence of soldiers and checkpoints around the camp.
In Borno State, a corps member travelling from Abuja described his journey as tense but confirmed that the camp remained calm with heavy security deployment.
Similarly, a female corps member posted from Lagos to Kaduna, identified as Esther, said she was initially terrified by her posting but felt reassured upon arrival.
“Seeing soldiers and police around the camp has calmed my nerves,” she said.
Others said they planned to limit movement, strictly follow NYSC rules, and rely on security agencies throughout the exercise.
Parents Call for Maximum Protection
Reacting to the situation, the National President of the Parents-Teachers Association of Nigeria (PTA), Haruna Danjuma, urged government authorities to prioritise the safety of corps members.
“Their safety must not be taken lightly. Security agencies, religious leaders, and traditional rulers must work together to protect these children,” he said.
Efforts to reach the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered as of the time of filing this report.
States Relocate Camps Over Security Concerns
Several state governments have confirmed relocating orientation camps from high-risk areas to safer locations.
In Zamfara, the Commissioner for Information, Mahmud Dantawasa, said the orientation camp was moved from Tsafe to Gusau, the state capital, to enhance security.
Similarly, in Kaduna State, the permanent camp at Sabon Gaya was relocated to Government College, Kurmi Marshi, following earlier security challenges along the Kaduna–Abuja highway.
An NYSC official in the state said the relocation was necessary to protect corps members, adding that security agencies now heavily guard the temporary camp.
In Kwara State, the orientation camp was moved from Yikpata to Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, in September 2025 due to persistent bandit attacks in Kwara North.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Onifade Olaoluwa Joshua, said the decision was made strictly in the interest of safety.
“The welfare of corps members is our priority. Security agencies have been fully deployed to guarantee safety,” he stated.
Calls for Long-Term Review
A public affairs analyst, Waheed Bello, urged the Federal Government and NYSC to reassess camp locations in volatile regions and strengthen national security ahead of future exercises.
“Temporary camps can be created in safer areas rather than putting young graduates at risk,” he said.
