NYSC denies issuing safety pamphlet advising corps members to pay ransom if they are abducted

Friday, November 21, 2025 - The National Youth Service Corps has disowned a pamphlet circulating online that purportedly advises corps members to pay ransom if kidnapped or taken hostage.

In a statement issued via its X handle on Thursday, November 20, the NYSC management described the document as fake and clarified that a consultant had presented a similar document for consideration in 2021, but it was not adopted.

“The attention of the Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been drawn to a purported NYSC pamphlet advising corps members to pay ransom in the event of kidnapping.

“While a similar document was presented to Management for consideration by a consultant in 2021, it was not adopted by the Scheme.

“Management, therefore, wishes to make it clear that the document being circulated is not an official NYSC publication and does not represent the Scheme’s policy regarding staff and corps members’ security; as such, it should be ignored,” 

""The NYSC Management remains committed to the welfare, security, and safety of its staff and corps members and will continue to collaborate with security agencies and other stakeholders in this regard. Nigeria is Ours; Nigeria we serve," the statement read.

This comes after the said document resurfaced online, sparking reactions over Nigeria’s security challenges, including kidnapping risks.

Back in September 2021, the pamphlet gained public attention when it surfaced online.  In the pamphlet, tips for advisory action when kidnapped or taken hostage were listed.

Some of the tips are as follows:

a. Do not resist armed kidnappers.

b. Keep calm and be patient.

c. Do not antagonize your captors, be polite and operate with reasonable regards. Give reasonable cooperation to your abductors.

d. Establish a personal relationship with your captors as early as possible.

e. The kidnappers may ask for contact persons, do not mention your place of work, but your close friends and parents. They will reach them to negotiate for your release.

f. Advice your friends involved in the negotiation, they should be friendly with your captors.

g. Be prepared for the natural reaction of the shock.