Tears as corps member dies weeks into service

Corps members

A 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.