The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members by suspected armed bandits along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The corps members were reportedly travelling from the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to Abuja when armed assailants intercepted them.
Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to ARISE News on Friday, saying security operatives had launched efforts to rescue the abducted corps members and other victims.
According to Afusat, the incident occurred at about 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, when armed hoodlums emerged from the bush around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction.
She said the assailants blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions and abducted some passengers, while others escaped into the surrounding bush.
“Upon receipt of the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer, Ofu, led a joint security team to the scene, where two abandoned vehicles—a Peace Mass Transit white Hummer bus and a yellow 18-seater bus—were recovered,” the statement said.
The police spokesperson said a coordinated bush-combing and rescue operation was immediately launched, resulting in the rescue of 11 abducted victims, including the drivers of the two buses.
“Preliminary debriefing indicates that most of the rescued victims are NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja,” she added.
According to the statement, the rescued victims were debriefed and, after necessary procedures, allowed to continue their journey.
The command said the joint security operation remained ongoing in the surrounding forest, with the objectives of rescuing the remaining victims, apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
“The Command assures members of the public that every available operational and intelligence resource is being deployed to secure the area and ensure the safe recovery of the remaining victims.
“Further developments will be communicated as appropriate,” the statement added.
Frederick Odimayo
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