The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called for enhanced collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen security for corps members and protect NYSC facilities nationwide.
Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the police have remained a critical partner in the successful implementation of NYSC programmes since inception, stressing that sustained collaboration is vital to safeguarding corps members deployed across the country.
Nafiu, while congratulating the IGP on his appointment and the inauguration of his special team, urged the police to ensure “maximum security of corps members and NYSC officials within and outside orientation camps.”
He also called for improved protection of corps members, their property and corps lodges nationwide, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections, a period he noted requires heightened security vigilance.
The NYSC boss further raised administrative concerns over exemption certificates, referencing provisions of the NYSC Act that exempt members of the armed forces and paramilitary agencies from national service. He sought collaboration with the Nigeria Police Academy to facilitate the issuance of exemption certificates to its graduates in line with statutory requirements.
In his response, Disu assured the NYSC of the police’s continued support, affirming the Force’s commitment to the security of the scheme and its personnel.
He disclosed that addresses of all corps lodges are already with the police to enable swift response when necessary, and welcomed the proposal regarding exemption certificates for graduates of the Police Academy.
The IGP reaffirmed the commitment of the police to deepen cooperation with the NYSC in the interest of national security and the protection of youths participating in the scheme.
