Plateau State corps member, Joyce Abakumen, has died weeks after completing the 2025 Batch C National Youth Service Corps orientation exercise in Jos, the state capital.
Her death was announced on Tuesday by her brother, Iorwuese Abakumen, on the NYSC Online Community Facebook Page, alongside a photo of Joyce in her NYSC uniform.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Abakumen, who is currently serving in Jigawa State, said his sister had completed the orientation camp in December 2025 and returned home for the Christmas break.
“She left Benue, where our parents live, for Jos two weeks ago,” he said.
He added that upon her return to Plateau, Joyce began complaining of fever, prompting their mother to ask her to come home for medical attention.
According to him, Joyce was admitted to the hospital last Friday after returning home on Wednesday.
“The doctor said she had typhoid, which had affected her blood. They gave her a blood transfusion, but on Saturday her condition worsened, and she eventually passed away on Sunday,” he said.
Iorwuese added his sister, who was 24 years old, had yet to commence her service at her Primary Place of Assignment in Jos before her death.
He added that she had been living alone in the city prior to the incident.
On burial plans, he said, “We will bury her this coming week.”
Meanwhile, another young woman who had just completed her NYSC, Azeezat Bahir, was also reported dead on Tuesday, according to social media posts citing family sources.
Azeezat, who completed her service in Katsina State in December 2025, had her death announced in a WhatsApp group for ex-corps members and later shared on Facebook.
Yahaya Sambo, a member of the group who posted the announcement on the NYSC Online Community Facebook Page, told Sunday PUNCH that the notice was originally shared by a lady on the WhatsApp group.
A copy of the statement he shared reads, “It’s with deep sorrow and total submission to the will of God the Almighty that I announce the passing away of our colleague in the person of Azeezat, who passed away last night as confirmed to me by her family member a few minutes ago.
She just completed her NYSC almost five weeks ago. We pray to God to grant her endless rest and comfort her family, friends, and colleagues.”
Efforts to reach Azeezat’s family directly proved abortive.
Her death, however, was shared by multiple blogs and Facebook pages, including Nasarawa To The World during the week.
Many netizens expressed grief at her sudden demise, noting the tragedy of a young life ending shortly after completing the national service.
A shortened post on Nasarawa blog mourning her death read, “Life Cut Short: Corps member passes away just weeks after passing out parade. Just five weeks ago, she celebrated her POP full of hope and dreams.
“Last night, she passed away. It is heartbreaking how young, bright, and promising lives are disappearing so suddenly. Rest on, Zeeza. This life is fragile.”
Analysts have said the incidents highlight the health challenges some young Nigerians face during the mandatory national service year, particularly soon after the demanding orientation period.
