A young Nigerian woman currently serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program has raised serious security concerns after bandits allegedly attacked a town close to her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) in Kogi State.
Immediate Panic Among Parents
The corps member, who identifies as @AweniOnibata on social media, revealed that panic gripped the community when news of the bandit attack on Kabba town spread. According to her account, parents rushed to the local school and physically pulled down the school gate to retrieve their children, fearing for their safety.
In her social media post that has since gone viral, the concerned corps member wrote: "This is what I posted this morning and they've almost taken my life. My PPA is just about an hour from Kabba. Parents came to school today and pulled down the school gate to retrieve their children."
Early Warning Ignored
The service member expressed frustration that she had initially raised an alarm about the impending danger but was not taken seriously. Her earlier warning posted on social media read: "BANDITS ARE CURRENTLY ATTACKING KABBA, KOGI STATE. PLEASE CALL YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBER AROUND THERE."
She confirmed that many people didn't believe her initial warning, but the situation has now escalated with verified reports of the attack emerging hours later. The incident has sparked widespread concern among corps members serving in potentially volatile areas across Nigeria.
Public Reaction and Safety Concerns
The corps member's post attracted significant attention online, with many Nigerians expressing concern for her safety and that of other youth corps members serving in high-risk areas.
Social media user @Lacey_xenon commented: "Omo if it's not safe, run back home o... NYSC or this country is not worth it." This sentiment was echoed by numerous others who prioritized personal safety over completing the service year.
Another user, @UcheMaryOkoli, shared: "OMG!! I'm so sorry that you are in the middle of this huge mess. Stay safe, please. Your life is worth more than any NYSC scheme."
Some commenters offered practical advice, with @orih_peter suggesting: "If the area is not safe, corpers there can meet the LGI and they will provide a military escort for all corpers to a secure location.. no enter road alone."
The incident has reignited conversations about the safety protocols for NYSC members, particularly those posted to regions experiencing security challenges. Many are calling for better security assessments and emergency evacuation plans for corps members serving in high-risk areas.
