Makurdi, June 19, 2025 – In response to escalating violence and insecurity in parts of Benue State, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has begun the redeployment of corps members posted to high-risk areas, citing concerns for their safety and welfare.
The decision follows renewed attacks on several communities, particularly in the state’s conflict-prone zones, which have left dozens dead and hundreds displaced. The situation has sparked public outrage, with the hashtag #StopBenueKillings trending across social media platforms as Nigerians call for urgent intervention.
NYSC officials confirmed on Tuesday that corps members currently serving in affected local government areas are being withdrawn and reassigned to safer locations within or outside the state. According to the scheme, the move is a proactive step to safeguard young Nigerians carrying out their national service under increasingly dangerous conditions.
“We are prioritizing the lives of these corps members. Once an area becomes volatile, we have a duty to act swiftly,” said a senior NYSC official in Makurdi. “The affected corps members will be relocated without any disruption to their service year.”
Several corps members had earlier raised alarm over growing threats to their safety, including reports of gunfire, attacks on nearby communities, and the absence of adequate security infrastructure. Advocacy groups and civil society organizations have commended the NYSC’s swift action, describing it as a necessary response in a region plagued by persistent insecurity.
The Federal Government is under increasing pressure to strengthen security in Benue State and the broader North Central region, where clashes between armed groups and local residents continue to result in casualties and displacements.
The NYSC has urged corps members nationwide to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to authorities, while also reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that service is only carried out in locations where safety can be guaranteed.
As efforts to restore peace continue, the redeployment serves as a stark reminder of the complex security challenges facing Nigeria’s youth in their service to the nation.
