Gunmen on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, attacked members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Akwa Ibom State, robbing them of valuables and leaving a female corps member injured.
The incident occurred at the Nigerian Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (NCCF) Family House in Urua Ekpa, along the Calabar–Itu Road in Itu Local Government Area.
Victims told SaharaReporters that the armed men stormed the lodge at night, carting away at least 13 mobile phones, three power banks, one laptop, and personal documents.
One female corps member was struck with a gun during the raid, causing her to collapse.
“This is the second time in less than a year that we are experiencing such a traumatising attack here,” one corps member said.
“The last robbery happened on November 17, 2024, when three people were injured and eight phones, three laptops, and four power banks were stolen. This time around, 13 phones, three power banks, and a laptop were collected at gunpoint.”
Another victim alleged that corps members have been discouraged from posting about the incident on social media, describing it as a cover-up attempt by the Akwa Ibom State government.
“Corpers are not allowed to post anything online, but the truth is we are facing serious danger here,” the source said. “If something is not done urgently, these attacks will continue.”
Corps members appealed to the federal government, NYSC authorities, and security agencies to urgently step up protection, stressing that the NCCF lodge had become a soft target for criminals.
This latest incident adds to growing concerns about corps members’ safety nationwide. In August, SaharaReporters reported heightened tension at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Kwara State, after soldiers restricted movements due to suspicious activity around the unfenced camp, which had long been vulnerable to intrusion by villagers and herdsmen.