By Boluwatife JohnPaul Gbede
When the video of Musa Usman Abba first appeared online, many Nigerians could not watch to the end.
In the clip, a young man identified as a member of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps, appeared frightened, beaten and pleading for mercy.
Behind the camera were armed men believed to be bandits. Within hours, the video spread across social media, and the story quickly turned into a national conversation about insecurity, youth service and the value of a young Nigerian life.
What followed was a story of fear, fundraising, ransom payments and then, silence.
A Corps Member in Captivity
Musa Usman Abba was a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, Nigeria’s mandatory one-year national service programme for graduates under the age of 30. The scheme was created to promote national unity by posting graduates to states outside their regions of origin.
Over the years, however, the programme has increasingly faced criticism due to security risks corps members encounter while travelling across the country or serving in volatile areas.
According to reports, Abba was abducted by suspected bandits during an attack in northern Nigeria, a region where kidnapping for ransom and banditry have become increasingly common. Criminal groups frequently target travellers and rural communities, often demanding large sums of money for release.
After the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly contacted Abba’s family and demanded ₦10 million as ransom.
A Video That Shocked the Country
Public attention intensified when a disturbing video surfaced online showing the kidnapped corps member being beaten and humiliated while pleading for mercy.
The video triggered public sympathy and outrage, with many Nigerians calling for urgent government intervention. Some observers believed the video was released by the kidnappers to pressure the victim’s family into raising the ransom quickly.
As the video circulated, donations reportedly came from concerned Nigerians who wanted to help the family secure his release.
Eventually, the family raised the ₦10 million ransom and paid the kidnappers in the hope that Abba would regain his freedom.
After the Ransom, Silence
But after the payment was made, something unexpected happened, communication stopped.
Family sources said the abductors initially demanded ₦10 million, and after receiving the money, allegedly made additional demands, including motorcycles. Shortly afterwards, all communication ceased.
The silence created fear and uncertainty. Without proof that he was alive, the family reportedly began preparations for Janaza Gha’ib, an Islamic funeral prayer performed in absentia when a person is believed to have died but their body cannot be recovered.
Despite this, relatives reportedly still hold on to hope that he might be alive.
Corps Members React
The incident has deeply shaken many serving corps members across Nigeria, many of whom say the story reflects the wider insecurity affecting the country.
One corps member who spoke anonymously described the situation as a reflection of how insecurity has become normalised.
“It’s a sad time in Nigeria. Insecurity has become so common that people don’t even react strongly to such news anymore. It feels like people have become used to tragedy. Corps members are among the most exposed because they travel through dangerous roads and unfamiliar places.”
The corps member added that authorities may need to reconsider the structure of the NYSC programme.
“At this point, the government should either suspend the scheme or introduce a stronger system that guarantees the safety of innocent people.”
Another corps member said the situation was disheartening.
“He was serving his country as a patriot. But situations like this make people feel the government may simply move on without properly addressing the problem.”
However, the corps member also warned against relying entirely on unverified information circulating online.
“It’s social media, you can’t believe everything. If anything really happened, we expect that there will eventually be confirmation.”
For some corps members, the incident reflects a broader national problem, not just a corps members’ issue.
Adekunle Olamide, a corps member serving in Kogi State, said insecurity affects everyone.
“It isn’t only about corps members. Citizens travel every day in Nigeria and anything can happen to anyone. The country just needs to do something to make Nigeria safe for everybody.”
Marshal Ehigbor, serving in Benue State, described the news as emotionally draining.
“It is very sad and depressing news. Nobody is really safe in this country. No corps member is safe, and even the expressways are not safe. When I saw it in the morning, it just made me sad. The truth is that tragic stories like this have become too common in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Oluwatobiloba Amos, a corps member serving in Ogun State, suggested the NYSC scheme could be redesigned to improve safety and provide better opportunities.
“Instead of posting graduates randomly across the country, the government could create a one-year paid national internship where graduates work in industries related to their course.”