Stop killing Corps members

The recent killing of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Samuel Chukwudumobi Okonta, during last month’s legislative re-run elections in Rivers State, has again provoked serious concerns over the safety of corps members deployed for national assignments.

It will be recalled that the post-election violence that trailed the 2011 presidential general election claimed the lives of ten corps members in Bauchi and some adjoining states.

It is now obvious that NYSC members deployed as ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are vulnerable to danger. They are easy targets of violent attacks at the slightest opportunity. This is barbaric and unacceptable. No parent will like to send their children to participate in the scheme knowing they may not come back.

For the duration of their service, the safety of the young men and women is NYSC’s responsibility. Everything should therefore be done to ensure this. Otherwise, the fundamental aim of setting up the scheme to foster national unity and cohesion will ultimately be defeated.

Their security needs must be assured before they are sent on potentially risky assignments such as electoral duties.

We call on the NYSC authorities to ensure that participants in the scheme are not posted to areas where their lives are exposed to veritable threats.  Armed security personnel should be detailed around them. There should be a rapid response to immediately evacuate them whenever there is the likelihood of danger.

The NYSC should also reassess the opportunity cost of sending Corps members on electoral duties because of the growing uncertainties that are involved. Perhaps, it is time for the INEC to look for qualified ad hoc staff from the respective localities where elections are taking place. But if they are to continue with these electoral duties, then they must be secured.

The NYSC and the INEC must strengthen ties with the security agencies and adopt technology-driven early warning strategies to prevent further loss of lives or injuries.

We also call on the Police to redouble efforts to apprehend the culprits in all the murders and maiming of Corps members and bring them to book. Though no amount of material compensation can make up for the loss of lives, we still believe the  state   governments, where such ugly incidents take place, as well as the Fedral Government owe the bereaved families generous financial palliatives.

The time has come for a comprehensive amendment of the NYSC Act to incorporate security awareness skills and expand the paramilitary training during the orientation camping. This will equip them with basic self-defence capabilities which will serve them beyond the duration of the Scheme.

We sympathise with the families of the young, fallen national heroes and hope steps will be taken to ensure the tragedies will not occur again.

The post Stop killing Corps members appeared first on AfrikMouth.

from AfrikMouth http://ift.tt/1UVVIse
via JimiVaey