Corps Member Dies Weeks After NYSC Orientation in Plateau

A National Youth Service Corps member, Joyce Abakumen, has died barely weeks after completing the 2025 Batch C orientation exercise in Plateau State.

The death of the 24-year-old corps member was announced on Tuesday by her elder brother, Iorwuese Abakumen, via the NYSC Online Community Facebook page, where he shared a photograph of the deceased dressed in her NYSC uniform.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Iorwuese, who is currently serving in Jigawa State, said Joyce completed the three-week orientation camp in Jos in December 2025 and later travelled home to Benue State for the Christmas holidays.

“She left Benue, where our parents reside, and returned to Jos about two weeks ago,” he said.

He explained that shortly after her return to Plateau State, Joyce began experiencing fever, prompting their mother to advise her to return home for medical attention.

According to him, Joyce travelled back home on a Wednesday and was admitted to the hospital two days later, on Friday.

“The doctor told us she had typhoid, which had already affected her blood. She was given a blood transfusion, but her condition worsened on Saturday, and she eventually passed away on Sunday,” he added.

Iorwuese further disclosed that his sister had yet to report to her Primary Place of Assignment in Jos before her death and had been living alone in the city prior to the illness.

On burial arrangements, he said the family planned to lay her to rest later in the week.

Meanwhile, the death of another young woman, Azeezat Bahir, who recently completed her NYSC programme, was also reported on Tuesday.

Azeezat, who served in Katsina State and passed out in December 2025, reportedly died about five weeks after completing her national service.

Her death was announced in a WhatsApp group for ex-corps members and later shared on the NYSC Online Community Facebook page.

A member of the group, Yahaya Sambo, who reposted the announcement online, told newsmen that the information was first shared by a lady in the WhatsApp group.

A statement accompanying the post read, “It is with deep sorrow and total submission to the will of God Almighty that I announce the passing of our colleague, Azeezat, who passed away last night, as confirmed by her family member.

“She completed her NYSC almost five weeks ago. We pray that God grants her eternal rest and comforts her family, friends, and colleagues.”

Efforts to reach Azeezat’s family directly were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

Her death, however, sparked widespread reactions on social media, with several blogs and Facebook pages mourning her sudden demise.

Many Nigerians expressed grief over the loss of two young women shortly after completing the mandatory national service, describing the incidents as heartbreaking and tragic.

Observers have noted that the deaths once again draw attention to health challenges faced by some young Nigerians during and shortly after the physically demanding NYSC orientation period.