The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reportedly withdrawn serving corps members from Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following growing security concerns and fears of a possible terrorist attack.
Affected corps members disclosed that they were issued relocation letters shortly after the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and instructed to immediately resume service in other local government areas considered safer within the state.
According to some of the corps members, the decision was linked to intelligence reports suggesting that terrorists could target NYSC members in the area.
One corps member explained that authorities directed them to leave Kaiama for their own safety, citing concerns over potential attacks on corps members stationed in the locality.
Another corps member revealed that rumours had circulated for several weeks that insurgents operating in the area were planning to abduct NYSC members as a strategy to pressure the government into negotiations and ransom payments.
A community youth leader also confirmed the redeployment, stating that all corps members serving in Kaiama had been transferred due to the prevailing security situation.
The youth leader noted that many of the corps members were reluctant to leave and would have preferred to remain in Kaiama despite the security concerns. He further disclosed that the deployment of corps members to the local government had been suspended indefinitely pending improvements in the security environment.
The development comes amid renewed fears over the activities of suspected terrorists in Kaiama and nearby communities.
Recent reports from relatives of abducted residents indicated that insurgents holding women and children kidnapped during an earlier attack on Woro community were allegedly preparing a religious graduation ceremony for more than 100 captives still in detention.
The victims were among scores of women and children taken during a violent assault on the community in February, an incident that resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction.
Family members said the abductors claimed that the captives had spent months receiving religious instruction, learning Islamic teachings and memorising portions of the Quran.
The attack on Woro community is regarded as one of the most devastating security incidents in Kwara State in recent years. During the invasion, hundreds of residents reportedly lost their lives, including prominent community figures, while several buildings, including sections of the Emir’s palace, were destroyed by fire.
Dozens of women and children were also taken away by the attackers and remain in captivity.
