A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Miss Abasifreke Joseph, has become the face of survival and despair after enduring a harrowing kidnapping ordeal that left her critically ill. Her family is now appealing for public assistance to secure the urgent medical care she desperately needs.
Miss Joseph, a native of Akwa Ibom State and a graduate of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, was abducted on January 9, 2025, while traveling along the Enugu-Kogi Highway. She was en route to her primary place of assignment in Kogi State, following a Christmas break with her family.
Her brother, Victor Joseph, spoke tearfully to reporters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, revealing the gravity of her condition. “Abasifreke is passing through serious trauma after spending several days in the forest. We are making a passionate appeal to the government at all levels and good-spirited individuals to come to our aid so we can give her proper medical attention,” he pleaded.
The ordeal of the 2024 Batch C1 corps member began on what was supposed to be a routine journey back to her NYSC post. Instead, it turned into a nightmare when she was abducted by unknown assailants.
Details of her captivity are scarce, but sources close to the family disclosed that she was subjected to harsh conditions while being held in the forest. This has taken a significant toll on her physical and mental health, leaving her in a dire state even after her release.
Victor Joseph refrained from discussing the ransom payment allegedly made to secure her freedom. “Our focus now is on her recovery. We need all the support we can get to restore her health,” he said, declining to elaborate on the financial toll the kidnapping has exacted on the family.
Miss Joseph is currently admitted to the General Hospital in Ukpom Abak, Akwa Ibom State. Her condition remains critical, and her family is struggling to meet the mounting medical expenses.
“She has been traumatized physically and mentally,” a family friend, who preferred anonymity, shared. “Her recovery is going to take time and significant financial resources.”
The family’s cry for help has resonated widely, with appeals for government intervention and public support. They are hopeful that well-meaning Nigerians will step in to ease the burden.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a grim reality in Nigeria, with the country battling a surge in abductions targeting travelers, students, and professionals. The Enugu-Kogi Highway, where Miss Joseph was abducted, has increasingly gained notoriety as a hotspot for such criminal activities.
Security experts have repeatedly raised concerns over the inadequate policing of major highways, which leaves travelers vulnerable to attacks. For many NYSC members deployed far from their home states, such risks are an ever-present danger.
“The safety of corps members must become a priority for the government,” said a security analyst, who emphasized the need for strengthened highway patrols and community intelligence networks.
The National Youth Service Corps program, established in 1973 to foster national unity, now faces criticism for exposing participants to security risks. Families are increasingly questioning whether the program’s objectives justify the dangers involved.
Public Response and Government Responsibility
The plight of Miss Joseph has sparked widespread sympathy, with many taking to social media to express outrage and call for improved security measures. Activists have also urged the government to foot her medical bills and provide compensation to her family.
One Twitter user wrote, “Abasifreke’s story is heartbreaking. NYSC participants deserve better protection from the government. We must demand action!”
Meanwhile, calls for corporate organizations and philanthropists to intervene have grown louder. “This is a moment for Nigerians to unite and support this young woman who has sacrificed for her country,” said community leader Chief Inyang Effiong.
In response to the incident, some have suggested that the NYSC scheme provide comprehensive insurance coverage for corps members, including support for medical emergencies arising from security threats.
While Victor Joseph chose not to confirm the payment of a ransom, the financial strain on families of kidnapping victims is well-documented. A recent report by SBM Intelligence revealed that Nigerians paid over $18 million in ransom to kidnappers between January 2011 and June 2023.
This grim statistic highlights the economic dimension of insecurity, where families are forced to part with life savings or borrow heavily to save loved ones. For many, the emotional scars of such experiences linger long after the physical wounds have healed.
The Joseph family’s story serves as a sobering reminder of the human cost of Nigeria’s security crisis. As they rally to save their daughter, they are appealing to Nigerians everywhere to show compassion and lend a helping hand. “No family should have to go through this,” Victor Joseph said. “We are calling on everyone to come to our aid. We need help now more than ever
