Tragedy struck in Jos, Plateau State, as a 31-year-old corps member, Ibrahim Haruna Abdulkareem, was killed just 48 hours before completing his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

Abdulkareem, who had recently gotten married and was preparing for his passing-out parade, was caught in a reprisal attack in Anguwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, when gunmen stormed the community on Sunday.
The deceased, who resided in Yantifa community in Jos North, was serving at Almustafa Private School, Jos, as his Place of Primary Assignment (PPA). His call-up number was NYSC/FPB/2026/042404, with state code PL/26A/0351.
Government officials and security agencies confirmed that no fewer than 28 people were killed when the attackers opened fire on residents going about their normal activities. Following the incident, angry youths reportedly blocked roads in the area and attacked passersby.
For Abdulkareem’s family, the loss remains deeply painful and personal.
Speaking with journalists, his younger brother, Mustafa Haruna Abdulkareem, narrated how the corps member, who became the family’s breadwinner after their father’s death, lost his life.
He explained that Abdulkareem augmented his NYSC allowance by operating a commercial motorcycle (okada) between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily to cater for his pregnant wife and other family members.
“After returning from his PPA that day, he got ready and went out again around 7:00 p.m. for okada work,” he said.
“Between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m., we started hearing about the attack in Anguwan Rukuba. We became worried because okada riders are usually vulnerable in such situations. We tried calling him, but his phone was unreachable. From that moment, we sensed something was wrong.”
He added that efforts to locate him, involving the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), the Nigerian Red Cross, and security officials, later confirmed that he had been killed.
The situation was made more difficult for the family due to the circumstances surrounding his burial.
“After funeral prayers in absentia, the JNI requested that only one family member should attend the burial,” Mustafa said.
“They explained that his body was badly mutilated and bringing it back to the community could trigger unrest, so only one person was allowed to witness the burial.”
His mother, Zainab Hasan, described the incident as a devastating loss, noting that he was her first son and the only graduate in the family.
“He had been supporting the family since his father died. I struggled to train him in school so he could assist others,” she said.
“The allowance he earned as a corps member was not enough, which is why he engaged in okada riding after work.”
She lamented that despite his sacrifices and aspirations, her son was killed unjustly.
“They killed him for no reason and even took his motorcycle. I am calling on the state and federal governments to ensure justice. I will never forgive those responsible,” she said.
The family disclosed that Abdulkareem, who had been looking forward to his passing-out ceremony, is survived by his seven-month pregnant wife, who now faces the challenge of raising their unborn child without him.