NYSC Community in Mourning as 16 Prospective Corps Members Die in Gombe-Bound Road Crash

A sombre atmosphere has enveloped the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) community following a fatal road accident that reportedly claimed the lives of 16 prospective corps members travelling to Gombe State for the 2025 Batch C orientation exercise. The victims, all graduates of Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED), Ondo State, were headed to the NYSC camp when their vehicle was involved in the tragic crash.

According to early reports, the accident occurred along a major highway leading to Gombe, leaving two other occupants critically injured. Emergency responders were said to have arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, rushing the injured survivors to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention. Authorities are yet to confirm the exact cause of the crash, but eyewitness accounts described it as “severe and devastating.”

The incident has sparked grief among family members, colleagues, and the academic community of AFUED, where the victims recently completed their studies. Many have taken to social media to express shock and heartbreak over the sudden loss of young graduates who were on their way to fulfil a national assignment. School officials have also expressed condolences, calling the incident a painful blow to the institution.

Meanwhile, the NYSC management and relevant security agencies are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the accident. As Nigeria mourns the tragic loss of these promising youths, calls have intensified for improved road safety measures to protect travellers, especially young graduates embarking on mandatory national service.