The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said it will probe copies of pamphlets containing security tips for staff and corps members which contain the “embarrassing” clause that advises preparation for ransom payment if abducted.
“We realised different copies are in circulation. We are investigating,” NYSC spokesperson Adenike Adeyemi told Premium Times on Friday.
The NYSC has been subjected to criticism after a page from the handbook containing the bizarre advice for corps members plying “high-risk” roads flooded social media.
The handbook, which is titled; “Security Awareness and Education Handbook For Corps Members and Staff,” on its page 56, advised both corps members and (and staff) travelling on “high-risk” roads to alert their “family members, friends and colleagues to have someone on hand to pay off the ransom that could be demanded” in case they are kidnapped.
Some of the roads listed are “Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Lokoja-Okene, or Aba-Port Harcourt” roads.
On page 57, the handbook advises both staff and corps members how to conduct themselves when kidnapped, saying; “Do not antagonise your captors, be polite and operate with reasonable regards.”
In an extensive statement on Friday, the NYSC said, “The attention of Management of the National Youth Sevice Corps has been drawn to a fake release making the rounds on the social media to the effect that Corps Members travelling on ‘high risk roads’ should alert their families, friends and colleagues in order to have somebody to pay off the ransom that could be demanded in the event of being kidnapped.
“Management wishes to emphatically state that the clause mischievously quoted is not embedded in NYSC Security Tips pamphlet which was put together by a highly respected retired security expert.
“Management wishes to appeal to the general public to always clarify issues with the Scheme.”
