15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were reportedly abducted by armed gunmen in Kogi State while travelling to Abuja after completing their orientation programme in Bayelsa State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 26, along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, near the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction.
The corps members were said to have been travelling in two buses when armed men reportedly emerged from the surrounding bush and blocked the vehicles.
According to the Kogi State Police Command, the incident occurred at about 4:40 p.m., following which some passengers were abducted while others managed to escape into the bush.
The two buses were subsequently abandoned at the scene.
11 victims rescued
A major breakthrough came after security operatives launched a search and rescue operation following a distress call.
The operation, led by the Divisional Police Officer in Ofu and involving other security personnel, resulted in the rescue of 11 of the abducted victims.
The police said the rescued victims included the drivers of the two buses.
The victims were taken through necessary procedures and were subsequently allowed to continue their journey.
However, four victims remain unaccounted for, with security operatives continuing efforts to locate them.
The Kogi State Police Command said its personnel and other security agencies were combing the surrounding forests in an attempt to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the attackers.
Corps members were returning to Abuja
Preliminary information from the police indicated that most of those rescued were NYSC members who had travelled from Bayelsa State after completing their three-week orientation programme.
The corps members were reportedly heading towards Abuja when the attack occurred.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the security of major highways in Kogi State, particularly routes surrounded by large stretches of forest that have increasingly become vulnerable to criminal activities.
Ransom claim surfaces
Amid the confusion following the abduction, there were reports that the abductors had demanded ₦35 million as ransom for one of the victims.
The claim was attributed to a relative of one of the abducted corps members.
However, the ransom demand has not been independently confirmed by the police and should therefore be treated as an allegation at this stage.
There were also earlier reports claiming that a driver was killed during the attack. However, the subsequent police account stated that the drivers of both buses were among those rescued, creating a contradiction with the earlier claim.
Search continues for four victims
While the rescue of 11 people represents a significant breakthrough, the whereabouts of four others remain a major concern.
Security agencies are continuing their search operation in the area, with efforts focused on locating the remaining victims and bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.
The latest development means that the situation has moved significantly from the initial report of 15 NYSC members being kidnapped.
As of the latest police update, 11 have been rescued, while four remain missing.
Headlineswave will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as further information becomes available.
