The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has suspended the deployment of corps members to three local government areas in Kebbi State due to persistent security concerns, raising fresh concerns about the impact of insecurity on education, healthcare, and community development in the state.
The Kebbi State Coordinator of the NYSC, Bala Dabo Kagarko, disclosed that Augie, Arewa and Sakaba local government areas have been blacklisted from receiving corps members. According to him, the decision was taken to safeguard the lives and welfare of young graduates participating in the mandatory national service scheme.
Speaking with journalists at the temporary NYSC Orientation Camp in Basura, Jega Local Government Area, Kagarko explained that security assessments indicated that the affected areas could no longer guarantee the safety of corps members. As a result, the scheme has halted postings to the three councils until the security situation improves.
The coordinator also revealed that insecurity forced the relocation of the state’s orientation camp from Dakingari to the temporary facility in Basura. He noted that the move was necessary to ensure a safer environment for corps members during their orientation programme.
Kagarko lamented that Kebbi State has experienced a significant decline in the number of corps members posted to the state in recent years. The development, he said, has created manpower shortages in critical sectors, particularly healthcare and education, where corps members traditionally play vital roles.
According to him, state hospitals are increasingly struggling to attract medical personnel through the NYSC scheme, while many schools are facing shortages of teachers and support staff. He noted that corps members have historically contributed significantly to service delivery in rural and underserved communities across the state.
The NYSC official further disclosed that Kebbi currently receives the lowest number of corps members among all states in the federation. He expressed concern that despite repeated appeals to relevant authorities to address the challenges affecting deployments to the state, little progress has been made.
Security challenges in parts of northwestern Nigeria have continued to affect social and economic activities, with several communities experiencing bandit attacks, kidnappings, and other criminal activities. These concerns have prompted government agencies and institutions to review operational arrangements in vulnerable areas.
Observers say the blacklisting of the three local government areas highlights the broader consequences of insecurity beyond immediate safety concerns. Reduced deployment of corps members could affect access to healthcare, classroom learning, community development projects, and other public services that depend heavily on NYSC personnel.
Stakeholders have called for stronger security measures and coordinated efforts by federal and state authorities to restore confidence in affected areas, improve safety, and encourage the return of corps members whose services remain crucial to grassroots development.
Until significant improvements are recorded, the NYSC says the safety and security of corps members will remain its top priority in determining deployment decisions across the country.
