RismadarVoice Reporters
October 7, 2026
A retired Permanent Secretary in the Osun State Civil Service, Olusola Bolaji, has criticised the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, over what he described as its silence following the abduction of prospective corps members travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps.
Bolaji, who spoke in Ibadan on Wednesday, said the NYSC should demonstrate greater concern for the safety and welfare of the affected graduates and maintain appropriate communication with their families.
The prospective corps members were abducted around Umunoha on the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State while travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.
The incident has heightened anxiety among relatives of the victims as security agencies continue efforts to secure their release.
Describing the NYSC’s alleged silence as insensitive, Bolaji argued that greater attention should be given to the security of prospective corps members travelling long distances to their assigned orientation camps.
He called for stronger coordination among the NYSC, security agencies and state governments, including security assessments of routes frequently used by prospective corps members.
Bolaji also urged authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still being held and ensure that their families receive appropriate information about developments.
“Even if the NYSC cannot disclose operational details because of security considerations, there should be communication. Silence creates more anxiety,” he said.
The retired permanent secretary said the incident should prompt a broader review of arrangements for prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps across the country.
He maintained that the immediate priority should remain the safe return of the abducted graduates, followed by an assessment of the circumstances surrounding the attack and measures to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
Security agencies, including the military, police and Department of State Services, have intensified search-and-rescue operations following the abduction.
Bolaji urged the Federal Government, NYSC and security agencies to sustain those efforts while strengthening measures to protect prospective corps members travelling to their places of deployment.
