• NYSC relocates orientation camps as Plateau youths protest violence
National chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has bemoaned worsening insecurity, kidnapping, violence in the country, and the clear inability of the All Progressives Congress-led government to find a solution.

He made the remarks yesterday in Abuja during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, with a call on members to rise to the challenge and rescue a nation wallowing in all manners of anomaly.

Mark told NEC members that the journey ahead may be demanding, adding that with unity, discipline, and commitment, victory would be achieved.

He said: “Let us remain steadfast and resolute. Nigerians across all walks of life are yearning for purposeful leadership, equity, justice, and a government that truly serves the people. The responsibility before us, therefore, is not just political — it is moral and historic.

“As leaders of this great movement, we must rise above personal interests and remain united in our resolve to build a strong, disciplined, and people-oriented party. Internal cohesion, respect for party structures, and adherence to democratic principles must remain our guiding pillars.”

Mark added: “Recent developments have shown that while challenges may arise, our collective will to remain focused and united is stronger than any divisive tendencies. We must therefore close ranks, deepen consultation, and reinforce confidence in our leadership and processes.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank our state chairmen who have chosen the path of dialogue and consultation in spite of all odds. Together, we can salvage Nigeria.”

In the meantime, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has relocated its orientation camps in several states, including Kwara and Kaduna, citing ongoing security threats and a commitment to protecting corps members.

The move aligns with prior appeals from parents and education stakeholders who had raised concerns about placing graduates in high-risk rural areas.

In a statement, the agency noted that corps members posted to volatile regions “are provided with adequate protection, including military escorts.”

The statement, which addressed a recent controversial article alleging negligence and fictitious “ransom clauses,” stressed that the claims were inaccurate and misrepresented the scheme’s operations.

In addition, the scheme disclosed that over the last five years, it has spent more than N500 million on urgent medical interventions for corps members nationwide.

The relocation of camps comes amid heightened anxiety among prospective corps members and their families as the 2026 Batch A (Stream 1) orientation exercise commenced.

Reports from Zamfara, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe, Plateau, and Katsina states highlighted the challenges of travelling to areas prone to bandit attacks, kidnappings, and bomb threats.

Guardians, under the aegis of the Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (PTA), have consistently called for camps in rural, high-risk areas to be moved to safer urban locations.

Last September, PTA’s National President, Haruna Danjuma, commended the Kwara State government’s decision to relocate the NYSC camp from Yikpata in Edu Local Council to the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

He described the move as a “show of concern over our children” and urged other state governments to emulate.

Also, youths under the banners of the Coalition of Northern Zone Ethnic Nationalities and the Plateau Youth Coalition, yesterday, staged a protest at the Plateau Government House in Jos, expressing concern over persistent attacks in rural communities and escalating insecurity across the state.

The protesters gathered at around 11 a.m., highlighting recent ambushes on security personnel and civilians, and calling for urgent measures to restore peace.

President of Plateau Youth Coalition, Ezekiel Peter Bini, said the protest was prompted by a recent attack in Kanam Local Council, which resulted in the death of about 14 security officers.

President of Berom Youth Movement and Chairman of the Northern Zone Coalition, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, noted that displaced insurgents from other regions appeared to be relocating to Plateau and the Middle Belt, creating additional security challenges.

President of the Berom Women Development Association, Ngo Esther Banga, highlighted the impact of insecurity on women and children, noting that attacks have increased the number of widows and orphans, and called for restored peace to enable normal life and tourism to resume in the state.

However, the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), in partnership with the UK-funded Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme (SPRING) and the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency (PSPBA), has hosted a high-level consultative and peer learning dialogue with security officials and peacebuilding actors from Benue, Kaduna, Katsina and Plateau states to strengthen collaboration and address shared security challenges.

The event, which held in Jos, Plateau State, was to share experiences and strategies for tackling insecurity in the crisis-ridden states.

Director-General of OSPRE, Chris Ngwodo, emphasised the need for a collaborative approach, stating that no single tier of government could address today’s security challenges in isolation.

He said the event formed part of “ongoing efforts to strengthen subnational coordination, enhance early warning systems, and promote adaptive and locally-driven responses to evolving threats.

According to him, in 2025, OSPRE, through its SPARCS programme, had trained over 300 men and women across the North-West and North-Central zones to detect, analyse, and respond to conflict risks in real time.

Team Lead for SPRING, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration among government institutions, communities and development partners in addressing the complex drivers of insecurity.

On her part, Director-General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, Julie Sanda, commended OSPRE and SPRING for their sustained commitment to fostering peace and stability in the state and the wider North.

She called for expanded collaboration to scale successful interventions and deepen impact at the community level.