Pastor Ashimolowo Urges FG to Train NYSC Members as Security Force Against Banditry

• Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of KICC has called on the Nigerian government to train National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in security measures to help combat the nation’s rising insecurity.
• Citing the example of Israel, the cleric argued that leveraging Nigeria’s large youth population would raise the national security level.
• He warned against the potential misuse of state police and stressed that a collective, structured approach involving well-trained youth is the key to combating crime and the lure of lucrative criminal activities like kidnapping.

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) has called on the federal government to train National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to help combat Nigeria’s escalating insecurity challenges.

Speaking on national security, Ashimolowo argued that the country’s youth population, which comprises 60 per cent of Nigerians, represents a largely untapped resource in the fight against crime.

The cleric highlighted the example of Israel, where citizens serve in the army from age 18, suggesting a similar training structure for NYSC members could significantly enhance public safety and national pride:

“The nation should look for ways to harness Nigerians. If we train our youth early, like Israel does, we will increase our security level and make our people proud to be Nigerians,” Ashimolowo said.

He also warned against over-reliance on state police, stressing that such forces could be easily misused for personal or political agendas. Instead, he proposed fostering security consciousness among citizens and creating structured ways to involve young Nigerians in national security efforts.

Ashimolowo noted the growing threat of kidnappings, which he said are fueled by lucrative ransom payments, enticing many youths toward crime. He urged a collective approach to making the country safer:

“Let’s raise the security level and tap into the brains in our nation. Nigeria is a strong and proud country, and we must ensure our youth are part of building that strength,” he added.