Outrage as Old NYSC Pamphlet Advises Corpers to Prepare for Ransom Payments if Kidnapped
Nigerians have expressed outrage and disbelief after an old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) pamphlet from 2021 resurfaced online, containing shocking safety advice for corps members traveling on dangerous routes.
The controversial document advised those passing through high-risk areas to inform their family and friends in advance, so someone could be ready to “pay the ransom that may be demanded” if they were kidnapped.
The resurfaced pamphlet, shared alongside a viral image of another NYSC handbook titled “What to Do When Kidnapped or Taken Hostage,” has sparked nationwide anger and renewed debates about Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and the government’s failure to protect citizens.
The handbook listed disturbing “survival tips” such as:
- “Do not resist armed kidnappers.”
- “Establish a relationship with your captors.”
- “Do not attempt to escape — do not be a hero.”
Others questioned how a federal institution could issue such instructions instead of demanding better security measures.
Public reactions have continued to pour in, with citizens calling for the NYSC management and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to clarify the origin and purpose of the document, which many see as an embarrassing reflection of the country’s current security crisis.
