TD Passengers travelling to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps have been reported kidnapped.
The development has sparked concern among families and prospective corps members in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
The claim was made in a video post on X, showing direct transport services to NYSC orientation camps in various states.
In a follow-up video, the poster identified a vehicle as “the bus that they were kidnapped from”, linking it to the alleged abduction.
According to the video circulating online, the incident allegedly occurred after passengers left a location in Akwa Ibom at about 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The speaker identified the location as Brava Hotel and appealed to families whose children had travelled to NYSC camps in Abia, Imo and Enugu states to urgently establish contact with them.
“If you know you have children that went to NYSC camp, Abia State, Imo State, Enugu State, better start coming now.
“Your children have been kidnapped,” the speaker claimed.
Police, Soldiers on the Trail of the Kidnappers
The speaker further alleged that a woman identified as Rita Seward had been kidnapped and said videos and information from the drivers were being used to establish what happened.
The video also claimed that the commissioner, police and soldiers were already tracing the alleged kidnappers.
However, the kidnapping allegations could not be independently confirmed from the credible sources searched for this report as of October 1, 2026.
There was no matching report located in the current online reports of major Nigerian news organisations reviewed during verification.
NYSC Incident Yet to Be Confirmed by Authorities
There was also no official NYSC or security-service statement located confirming the specific incident.
The NYSC’s official website confirms that orientation camps exist in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Imo, among other states.
The agency lists the Akwa Ibom permanent orientation camp at Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area, while the Abia camp is in Umunna, Bende LGA.
The allegation comes against the background of documented security concerns affecting NYSC members travelling on Nigerian roads.
On August 31, 2026, Nigerian military authorities confirmed the rescue of 21 kidnapped victims in Kogi State, including 15 NYSC members.
The NYSC has itself identified the security of corps members as an area requiring continued collaboration with security agencies.
Its published report specifically refers to ongoing engagement with security agencies to safeguard corps members in Akwa Ibom and other South-South states.
Fresh Concerns Over the NYSC Project
The latest allegation has consequently generated renewed concerns among social-media users.
Users have raised fresh concerns about the risks faced by young Nigerians travelling long distances to commence their mandatory national service.
Some reactions to the post questioned whether graduates should be required to travel through areas perceived to have serious security challenges.
Others called for greater protection of corps members and suggested that affected families should verify the whereabouts of their relatives immediately.
This Dawn News could not independently establish the number of people allegedly abducted, the exact location of the reported attack.
It could not also ascertain the identity of the passengers, the identity of the transport company or those among the alleged victims.
The claims should therefore be treated as unverified pending confirmation from the police, NYSC, the relevant state authorities or the families of the alleged victims.
