Rising Insecurity: Plateau Relocates NYSC Camp

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – Disturbed by the heightened insecurity in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp has been relocated temporarily to a site in Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.

The NYSC Management announced the decision to move away from its permanent orientation camp in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) due to the degenerating security situation in the state.

A statement by NYSC’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, explained that the Orientation camp will now hold at Waye Foundation located in Dio-Du, Jos, the Plateau State capital.

The statement reads in part: “This is to inform members of the public, especially our esteemed prospective corps members, that the venue of the 2023 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Orientation Camp for Plateau State has been changed from the Permanent Orientation Camp in Mangu to Waye Foundation, by Buken Academy, Doi-Du (Temporary NYSC Orientation Camp) in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

“All Prospective Corps Members are, by this information, expected to report at the new Orientation Camp (Waye Foundation by Buken Academy) on the dates specified in their call-up letters”.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson of the Plateau Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, confirmed that adequate security arrangements have been put in place at the temporary site with an official visit by the State Police Commissioner to inspect the situation on ground.

DSP Alfred said in a statement thus; “The Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew N. Onyenka, today, being Monday 10th July, 2023, paid a visit to the temporary site of the Plateau State NYSC Orientation Camp located at Waya Foundation Dei Du, Jos South LGA where he was received by the NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Esther T. Ikupolati.

“The visit is in accordance with the Commissioner of Police commitment toward ensuring the security of Corp Members in the State and strengthening the existing security arrangement of the Camp, Corp members and their management staff.”

Mangu LGA, hosts of the NYSC Permanent Camp, has been bedeviled by incessant attacks and counter attacks between farming communities and pastoralists, leading to the loss of lives and properties.

The Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang, who declared 24 hours curfew to ensure law and order in the area, had described 80 percent of the attacks in the state as “pure genocide”.

According to the Governor; “By and large in Plateau State, I can tell you that 80 per cent of the situation is pure genocide against the people of Plateau.

“It is a problem that has built up over the years. The most important thing is that there is a breakdown of trust at both intra-community and inter community levels.”

Further offering insights on worrying level of insecurity, the Governor, who blamed some “hidden forces” for the pervading tension on ground, said; “Eventually, non-state actors who have the weapon of violence came into the situation and further escalated the situation.

“A lot of people who have not been fully identified are coming into the fray. So there are a lot of attacks and counter attacks.”