- Nigerians have expressed outrage after a 2021 NYSC pamphlet resurfaced, advising corps members traveling on high-risk roads to alert family and friends in case ransom payments are needed if kidnapped.
- The document, along with a viral handbook outlining “what to do when kidnapped,” has sparked criticism of the government’s failure to ensure security, with many questioning how official institutions could normalize ransom negotiations.
Nigerians on social media have expressed shock and disbelief after an old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) pamphlet from 2021 resurfaced online, containing controversial safety advice for corps members and staff traveling on high-risk roads.
According to the pamphlet, those traveling through insecure areas were instructed to inform their family, friends, and colleagues in advance so that someone could be ready to “pay off the ransom that could be demanded” if they were kidnapped.
The resurfaced advisory, shared alongside a viral image of another handbook outlining “what to do when kidnapped or taken hostage,” has reignited conversations about the state of security in Nigeria and the government’s perceived failure to protect its citizens.
In the viral image, the handbook listed shocking 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.”
The similarity between the NYSC advisory and the newly circulated document has fueled widespread criticism and concern, with many Nigerians questioning the sovereignty and functionality of the nation’s security systems.
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