Gunmen have attacked members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Akwa Ibom State, leaving one female corps member injured and several others traumatised.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Nigerian Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (NCCF) Family House in Urua Ekpa, Itu Local Government Area, along the Calabar–Itu Road.

According to eyewitnesses, the armed robbers stormed the lodge at night, carting away 13 mobile phones, three power banks, a laptop, and important personal documents. During the attack, a female corps member was struck with a gun and fainted.

“This is the second time in less than a year 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.”

Victims also alleged that corps members were warned against posting about the attack on social media, a move they described as a cover-up to downplay the level of insecurity in the state.

“Corper are not allowed to post anything online, but the truth is we are facing serious danger here,” another victim said. “If something is not done urgently, these attacks will continue. We want the world to know what corps members are going through.”

The corps members appealed to the federal government, NYSC authorities, and security agencies to act quickly to secure their lives, warning that the NCCF lodge has become a recurring soft target for criminals.

The latest incident adds to growing concerns about the safety of corps members nationwide. In August, tension gripped the NYSC Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Kwara State, after soldiers directed corps members to remain indoors following unusual movements around the unfenced facility, which had long been criticised as a security risk.

For now, many corps members say they feel unsafe and abandoned, calling for urgent intervention before more lives are put at risk.