Don’t accept food from anybody, NYSC warns 200,000 corps members deployed for elections

Yusha’u Ahmed, director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), says over 200,000 corps members have been deployed for the forthcoming elections.

NAN reports that Ahmed spoke at a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

The NYSC DG said the security and welfare of the corps members have been taken care of.

“As you are aware, my priority since I assumed duty is the issue of security and welfare. The welfare of the corps members as well was presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and it promised to take care of it,” he said.

“Not only their security but wherever they will be taken to – right from where they will sleep before being taken to their respective places of duty.

“INEC promised to provide the NYSC members with sleeping kits and all that they require. Part of our discussion with the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services is that their places be taken into consideration in terms of security.

“The provision of security to their lodges and where they are accommodated is also factored in as part of the security of their lives and properties. So, we don’t expect them to go beyond the confines of the places”.

Ahmed said corps members deployed for the exercise are expected to be fully dressed in their NYSC uniforms on election day.

He also said in case of an emergency, the scheme had established a distress call centre at the headquarters with number 6972 for corps members to call for a prompt response.

Ahmed assured that corps members would not be deployed to flash points that were very volatile and known for violence.

During the briefing, the NYSC DG also warned corps members deployed for the exercise against collecting any form of gratification from politicians or “food from anybody”.

“What we want to remind the corps members is that they should be careful of whatever environment they find themselves and they should not accept any gift from any politician,” he added.

“They must not accept food from anybody; as they go, they should carry at least their service support along with them that is all what they will use on that day.

“Any form of gratification or any form of gift, we don’t expect corps members to accept. All we’re asking them do is go and perform their duty as expected of them and leave.”