Twenty prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who were abducted while travelling to their orientation camps in Imo State, have reportedly been offered the opportunity to choose any of the six states in Nigeria’s South-West for their national service.

According to a report published by The Punch on Saturday, October 10, the offer would allow the affected graduates to continue their service in a location of their choice within the South-West under the current NYSC batch.

A parent of one of the victims disclosed that the graduates had been given the option to select their preferred states following the traumatic experience they endured during the abduction.

The development comes after the prospective corps members were kidnapped on October 1 while travelling in two commercial buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State. They were reportedly on their way to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The police announced on October 7 that the victims had been rescued during a joint security operation at Amakohia Ubi Village in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. They were subsequently taken for medical evaluation.

However, the circumstances surrounding their release have generated controversy. While the police maintained that security operations secured their freedom, some parents claimed that they paid ransom to the kidnappers.

One parent reportedly disclosed that her family paid ₦6 million to secure the release of their child. Other relatives also described the financial difficulties they faced while trying to raise money during the ordeal.

The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, visited the freed graduates alongside senior security officials after their release.

As of the time of publication, The Punch reported that its attempts to obtain confirmation from the NYSC spokesperson concerning the South-West posting arrangement had not received a response.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of young Nigerian graduates travelling long distances to participate in the national service programme.

It has also intensified calls for stronger security arrangements, safer transportation and a review of posting procedures to reduce the risks faced by prospective corps members.

For the affected graduates and their families, the reported offer of alternative postings could provide an opportunity to continue the national service programme closer to home after a frightening experience.

Utelnova will continue to follow developments on the NYSC posting arrangement and the safety of prospective corps members.