admin
There was a palpable tension as soldiers ordered corps members at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, to stay indoors to investigate unusual movements of strangers around the facility.
According to Sahara Reporters, the camp, which has remained unfenced for years, is said to allow herdsmen and villagers to move in and out freely, raising deep concerns about the safety of corps members deployed there.
A corps member at the camp speaking to the media on Monday said that while management had tried to downplay the situation, many participants were still worried.
“They told us there’s no cause for alarm, but the truth is we sensed imminent danger,” the corps member explained.
“Security personnel instructed us, particularly the females, to go to our hostels and asked us not to come out. We heard they did this because there were strange movements near the camp and immediately asked us to remain indoors. They didn’t lock us inside, but we were instructed not to move around.”
Another source confirmed the same development, noting:
“There were unusual movements, so the corps members were asked to go inside.”
The incident quickly sparked panic online after an X user, LoveEby, raised the alarm.
“Guys I’m so scared right now! my sis jst called and said there’s an attack in their NYSC Camp right now in Kwara state. They locked every1 in their hostels and the Soldiers are moving up and down. May God protect each and every1 of them is jst 2days left.”
But another user, Ariyo, dismissed the claims as exaggerated:
“Y’all carrying false news up and down. But it’s just a false alarm from the girls. F-Soldiers yelled at Corpers to go into their hostels and one of them took it for a warning as if something had happened. The news spread so quick that even soldiers started to investigate.”
Another social media user with knowledge of the situation also clarified:
“Security personnel sensed strangers were around the camp not even in the camp, we were told to stay inside not locked inside as the poster said.”
Although calm had reportedly returned to the camp by Monday morning, many corps members say the experience has left them unsettled, particularly given the camp’s lack of fencing and its proximity to communities that have witnessed recent terror attacks in Edu and Patigi local government areas.
Despite repeated assurances from NYSC officials, the sense of vulnerability remains, with corps members worried that the absence of proper security infrastructure could expose them to danger.
