By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are part of Nigeria’s defence policy, hence, can be mobilized for war, says the director-general, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim.
He said during a television interview on Channels Television that the corps members are part of Nigeria’s defence reserve that could easily be mobilized during war situation.
“They are part of the national defence policy of this country. So, where there is serious war, our corps members are educated, they are knowledgeable and they can be trained. You see the drill and so on. You can imagine within the short three weeks in the orientation camps, the corps members are moulded. They are like soldiers. You see female corps members blowing the army horn, playing with the military band.”
The comment has triggered a barrage of criticism against the NYSC boss on the social media.
@DrOlufunmilayo said: “There has been insurgency in the North East, but they never thought of corpers. The President threatens war on Igbos and now the NYSC DG says this? The DG has a point, but this sudden growing appetite for war by this govt is insane.”
@TundeEddnut said: “Several youths clamoured for the scrap of NYSC because there are usually cases of NYSC corpers losing their lives during service. meanwhile. NYSC DG said Corps members can be mobilised for war. The thing just weak me.”
@Nsukka_okpa said: “NYSC DG says: Corps members can be mobilised for war. If you’re currently serving or are in camp as you read this tweet, better take your military training and man o war drills serious. You’re about to ” Remove Headress” your way into Sambisa forest.”
