By Matthew Tabe
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has appealed to corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to actively cooperate with security agencies in their host communities and resist being manipulated by individuals seeking to undermine national stability.
Represented by Group Captain Ibrahim Bukar of the Defence Directorate of Information, General Musa delivered this message on Wednesday during a security awareness session at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Niger State.
“You are being called to serve as ambassadors of peace, not as pawns in the hands of those intent on disrupting the nation. If you observe any suspicious activity in your environment, alert the relevant security formations immediately so that prompt action can be taken,” he advised.
He explained that the campaign, which is being held simultaneously across orientation camps nationwide, forms part of broader efforts by the Defence Headquarters to engage Nigerian youths, who are frequently targeted or co-opted in criminal activity, either as victims or perpetrators.
General Musa also cautioned corps members against careless use of social media platforms, warning that the spread of unverified or sensational content could compromise national security or dampen the morale of security personnel operating in volatile areas.
“It is not everything you encounter online that deserves to be reposted or shared. Some of those posts constitute a direct threat to public safety or are deliberately designed to misinform,” he said.
The Chief of Defence Staff encouraged corps members to be respectful of local customs, engage constructively with community and traditional leaders, and take precautions when moving around unfamiliar areas, particularly by avoiding isolation and travelling in groups during religious or market activities.
He went further to advise them to steer clear of cult activities, substance abuse, and criminal associations, urging them to serve as positive influences and credible role models within their places of primary assignment.
Niger State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Martina Shuaibu, expressed gratitude to the Defence Headquarters for launching the initiative. She described it as a timely and meaningful response to the country’s prevailing security challenges.
“We are grateful to the CDS for this forward-thinking intervention. Our corps members are law-abiding, and I am confident they will internalise this guidance and reflect it in their conduct throughout their service year,” she stated.
