Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A prospective corps member, Gift David, has been kidnapped by gunmen along the Akwanga-Jos road in Nasarawa State while traveling to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Maiduguri, Borno State. The abductors have demanded a ransom of N10 million for his release, plunging his family into a frantic search for funds.
David’s brother, Lawrence David, confirmed the abduction on Thursday, explaining that Gift was seized on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, while en route from Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, to the NYSC camp in Maiduguri. The victim is a graduate of the University of Maiduguri (now Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri) and hails from Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. According to Lawrence, the family has been thrown into distress and is appealing to the government and security agencies for urgent intervention.
“My brother was abducted on the Akwanga-Jos road on his way to Borno for the NYSC orientation camp. We are devastated. The kidnappers have called us and are demanding N10 million for his release,” Lawrence said in a phone interview. He disclosed that the abductors contacted a family member to issue the ransom demand. The family has not yet been able to raise the amount and is pleading with the public for assistance.
The Akwanga-Jos road, a major highway linking Nasarawa and Plateau states, has become notorious for kidnappings and armed robberies in recent years. The road traverses rural and forested terrain, providing cover for criminal gangs who ambush commuters. The latest incident adds to the growing list of abductions targeting young Nigerians traveling to NYSC camps, particularly those posted to northern states.
This is not an isolated case. In recent years, dozens of corps members have been abducted across the country. Statistics frequently cited in public discourse suggest that at least 40 corps members have been kidnapped since 2013, with kidnappers reportedly making over N80 million from such abductions between 2023 and 2025.
In January 2026, a prospective corps member, Miss Binuyo Lateefah, was abducted along the Kogi axis while traveling to Taraba State for her NYSC assignment. Her abductors demanded N30 million. The Lagos State House of Assembly intervened, calling for urgent inter-governmental collaboration to secure her release. In another case, a corps member, Abba Musa, was held captive for 70 days and released only after his family paid multiple ransoms, including N10 million, two motorcycles, and an additional N3.5 million.
The National Youth Service Corps has repeatedly assured prospective corps members of their safety, with officials stating that security measures have been reinforced around orientation camps.
However, the persistent abductions of corps members traveling to their states of deployment have fueled calls for the reform or even the scrapping of the NYSC scheme. Critics argue that the government has failed to protect young graduates on national service, particularly those posted to high-risk states like Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Yobe.
As of the time of this report, the Nasarawa State Police Command has not issued an official statement on the abduction of Gift David. Efforts to reach the state police spokesperson were unsuccessful. The NYSC has also not commented on the incident. The family continues to appeal for help, hoping that the government and security agencies will act swiftly to rescue their son before any harm comes to him.
The abduction of Gift David highlights the grave dangers faced by young Nigerians who, despite the risks, answer the call to serve their nation.
For the David family, each passing moment is a painful test of patience and faith. The kidnappers’ demand for N10 million remains unmet, and the fate of the prospective corps member hangs in the balance.
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