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

Abdulkareem, who had recently gotten married and was preparing to pass out, was caught in a reprisal attack in Anguwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, after gunmen stormed the community on Sunday.

The deceased, a resident of 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 persons were killed when gunmen opened fire on residents going about their normal activities. In the aftermath, angry youths reportedly blocked roads in the area and attacked passersby.

For Abdulkareem’s family, however, the loss is deeply personal and devastating.

Speaking to journalists, his younger brother, Mustafa Haruna Abdulkareem, recounted how the young corps member, who had become the family’s breadwinner after their father’s death, met his untimely end.

According to him, Abdulkareem supplemented his NYSC allowance by operating a commercial motorcycle (okada) between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily to support his pregnant wife and other family members.

“After returning from his PPA that day, he prepared 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 knew something was wrong.”

He said efforts to trace him, involving the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), the Nigerian Red Cross and security officials, later confirmed the worst—the young corps member had been killed.

The family’s grief was compounded by the circumstances surrounding his burial.

“After funeral prayers in absentia, the JNI asked 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 his death as a cruel blow to the family, noting that he was her first son and the only graduate she had.

“He had been taking care of the family since his father died. I struggled to train him in school so he could support others,” she said.

“The allowance he earned as a corps member was not enough, which is why he went into okada riding after work.”

She lamented that despite his sacrifices and dreams, 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 who did this,” she said.

The family said Abdulkareem, who was looking forward to his passing-out parade, leaves behind a seven-month pregnant wife—now faced with raising their unborn child without him. (Daily Trust, excluding headline)