Thousands of prospective corps members and their families are gripped by anxiety as the 2026 Batch A (Stream 1) orientation exercise of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) begins nationwide, particularly in states affected by banditry, kidnappings, and bomb scares.

From Zamfara to Kaduna, Borno, Yobe, Plateau, and Katsina states, corps members embarking on the mandatory 21-day orientation are undertaking long and often frightening journeys, despite assurances from authorities that adequate security measures have been put in place.

The growing concern follows a recent surge in terrorist attacks, killings, mass abductions, and bomb scares across parts of northern Nigeria.

In a statement issued on January 6, 2026, the NYSC announced that the 2026 Batch A (Stream 1) orientation exercise would commence on Wednesday, January 21, across all 37 orientation camps nationwide. The scheme had earlier disclosed, in September 2025, that about 650,000 graduates would be mobilised across all streams in 2026, an increase from the 400,000 deployed in 2025.

However, only about 40 per cent of registered prospective corps members are expected to participate in the current stream, with the remaining 60 per cent scheduled for later batches.

Recent media reports have identified several states as hotspots for insecurity, including Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Yobe, and Borno. Although official deployment figures have yet to be released, an estimated 8,000 corps members are expected to take part in the orientation exercise across these high-risk states.

Yobe State recently swore in about 1,200 corps members, while Kaduna is expected to host roughly 2,000 participants. Katsina State is projected to receive approximately 2,050 corps members.

According to the Zamfara State NYSC Coordinator, Muhammad Ahmed, about 600 corps members are expected in the state, while Sokoto and Kebbi states are preparing to host around 1,900 and 1,700 corps members, respectively.

Corps Members Recount Fearful Journeys

Several corps members currently undergoing orientation in high-risk states have expressed deep concerns over their safety, particularly during transit to their camps, even as state governments insist security has been strengthened.

A corps member serving in Zamfara State, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to NYSC regulations, said insecurity was his biggest fear after receiving his posting letter.

“My main fear is insecurity — bandits and kidnappers,” he said, adding that his parents were initially worried but later consented after prayers.

The Microbiology graduate said he spent about 28 hours travelling from Plateau State to Zamfara, exercising extreme caution throughout the journey.

“We arrived very late and had to sleep in a nearby village before continuing the next day. Even with security personnel around, the fear was still there because attacks can happen anytime,” he said.

Another corps member in Zamfara described breaking his journey into two stages, spending the night in Zaria before proceeding to the camp.

“Since I saw my call-up letter, I had been worried because of what we hear about Zamfara. I kept thinking our bus could be attacked, but we arrived safely. The fear hasn’t completely gone,” he said, while noting the presence of heavy security around the camp.

A corps member posted to Borno State said he felt apprehensive while travelling from Abuja but confirmed that the orientation camp remained calm, with visible security deployment.

Similarly, a female corps member posted from Lagos to Kaduna said she was initially terrified but felt reassured upon seeing soldiers and police officers around the camp.

“I was scared when I saw Kaduna on my posting letter because of kidnapping reports. But the strong security presence has helped calm my nerves,” she said.

Other corps members said they had adopted strict personal safety measures, including limiting movement outside the camp, avoiding night activities, and adhering closely to NYSC rules.

Parents Call for Maximum Protection

The National President of the Parents-Teachers Association of Nigeria, Haruna Danjuma, urged governments at all levels to prioritise the safety of corps members deployed to volatile areas.

He stressed that corps members’ safety must not be treated lightly, calling for close collaboration among security agencies, religious leaders, and traditional rulers.

“They must provide the highest level of protection. Community leaders know their environments and should work with security agencies to protect these young people from kidnappers,” he said.

Efforts to obtain comments from the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to her remained unanswered as of the time of filing this report.

States Relocate Camps Over Security Concerns

Officials in several affected states confirmed that orientation camps had been relocated from high-risk areas to safer locations.

In Zamfara State, the Commissioner for Information, Mahmud Dantawasa, said the orientation camp was moved from Tsafe to Gusau, the state capital, to enhance security. He assured that adequate arrangements had been made to protect corps members throughout the exercise.

Similarly, Kaduna State authorities relocated their orientation camp from Sabon Gaya to Government College, Kurmi Marshi, following security challenges along the Kaduna-Abuja corridor. Security personnel from the military, police, and paramilitary agencies were observed maintaining a strong presence at the camp.

In Kwara State, the NYSC relocated its camp from Yikpata in Edu Local Government Area to Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, in September 2025 due to rising insecurity in parts of Kwara North. The State Coordinator, Onifade Olaoluwa Joshua, said the move was taken purely in the interest of safety.

A public affairs analyst in Ilorin, Waheed Bello, called on the Federal Government and the NYSC to reassess the locations of orientation camps in insecure regions, suggesting the use of temporary camps where necessary to prevent exposure to danger.