₦airaland Forum

Eleven people, including National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, have been rescued after gunmen attacked vehicles along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, while security operatives continue searching for other victims still believed to be in captivity.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as the corps members were travelling from the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State towards Abuja after completing their orientation programme.

Initial reports indicated that 15 NYSC members were among those abducted along the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo axis. The development triggered concern among relatives and renewed attention to the security situation along Kogi's major highways.

Kogi Police Confirm Attack, Rescue 11 Victims

The Kogi State Police Command later confirmed the attack, saying armed men emerged from the surrounding bush and intercepted two buses around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria–Onicha-Igo Junction.

According to the police, the incident occurred at about 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday when the assailants blocked two vehicles travelling in opposite directions and abducted some of the passengers, while others escaped into the surrounding bush.

The Divisional Police Officer in Ofu subsequently led a joint security team to the scene following a distress call.

Two abandoned vehicles, including a Peace Mass Transit white Hummer bus and a yellow 18-seater bus, were recovered from the area.

The police said a coordinated bush-combing and rescue operation was immediately launched, leading to the recovery of 11 abducted victims, including the drivers of the two buses.

Preliminary debriefing indicated that most of those rescued were NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja.

Search Continues for Remaining Victims

Despite the rescue operation, the Kogi State Police Command said its operation in the surrounding forest was still ongoing.

The security operation is aimed at locating the remaining victims, apprehending the attackers and bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.

The development means that the initial reports of 15 abducted NYSC members have since been followed by an official account confirming the rescue of 11 victims, while the fate and exact number of those still in captivity remain subject to the ongoing operation.

Families Raised Alarm Over Abduction

Before the police confirmation, relatives of some of the victims had raised the alarm over the incident.

One relative told the Foundation for Investigative Journalism that his brother, identified as Ayodele David, was among those reportedly abducted while travelling to Abuja after completing the NYSC orientation programme in Bayelsa State.

The relative said the victims were travelling in two buses when the attackers struck along the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo axis.

He also said a police officer had contacted some of the families after obtaining information from a passenger manifest left behind at the scene.

Earlier reports said the Peace Mass Transit vehicle was among the buses attacked and that its driver sustained injuries during the incident.

Fresh Security Concern Along Kogi Highway

The latest incident adds to a series of kidnapping attacks reported along major highways and forest corridors in Kogi State in recent weeks.

The Ofu axis has previously witnessed attacks involving commercial vehicles and passengers. Earlier this month, suspected kidnappers attacked three buses and abducted passengers along the Itobe road, prompting security agencies to intensify operations in the area.

Security forces subsequently mounted a rescue operation that led to the recovery of 15 kidnap victims after a gun battle with suspected abductors. The Bureau Journal reported the rescue of the 15 victims following the Itobe gun battle, although security personnel also suffered casualties during the operation.

The repeated attacks have raised concerns over the vulnerability of travellers using the state's forest-lined transportation corridors.

Kogi Faces Wider Security Challenges

The security situation extends beyond highway kidnappings. In July, students, a school principal and a NECO official were abducted during an examination in Dekina Local Government Area, prompting a security response in the area.

Security agencies have also continued operations aimed at disrupting criminal networks operating across Kogi. In May, Nigerian security forces arrested two suspected terrorists during a patrol operation in Ajaokuta.

In another operation, security agencies intercepted an arms cache as authorities worked to prevent criminal groups from regrouping in the state. The Bureau Journal reported the Kogi arms interception and the subsequent security response.

Authorities Intensify Rescue Operation

The police command said the ongoing operation involves coordinated security efforts in the surrounding forest as authorities work to secure the affected corridor.

The command has also urged residents and travellers to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could assist in locating criminal elements operating in the area.

The latest development underscores the continuing security challenge facing travellers along some Kogi highways, particularly routes bordered by large forested areas that can provide cover for criminal groups.

For the families of the remaining victims, however, the immediate priority remains their safe recovery.

As security personnel continue the search, authorities are expected to provide further updates on the number of victims still in captivity and the progress of efforts to apprehend the attackers.

Source: https://thebureaujournal.com/kogi-nysc-abduction-11-rescued/

Very good development, hoping for the release of the rest members kidnapped.

Obidients should come and tell us how much ransom was paid within 25 hrs.

Nigeria don turn to Movie scene

Can u just rest and stop acting like Obidients are after ur life

Lithiumite:
Obidients should come and tell us how much ransom was paid within 25 hrs.

Thank goodness and glory to God. Pray for fast rescue of the others.

This is quite commendable and I hope others will be found.

Let's see the picture of those rescued and there account. Cuz everything about this government is built and based on propaganda

BureauJournal:
Source: https://thebureaujournal.com/kogi-nysc-abduction-11-rescued/

That was quick. Kudos to the armed forces.

Stanna2025:
Let's see the picture of those rescued and there account. Cuz everything about this government is built and based on propaganda

My take too.

The names, let's compare against the manifest of the vehicle to be sure they are free.

And then testimony from them confirming ransom wasn't paid.

It will be foolhardy believing any statement from a Nigerian government agency without 3-factor authentication.

NYSC can Traumatized You both day and night.

wow rescue or release
no news on what dey do to the kidnappers

Signs of fail state, the president should sit up

I am short of words.
What a president.
I wish he could do 12 years.

Peter would have negotiated and paid.

The whole point of negotiating is that is enemy has a say.

In the case of the Oyo children, I love that the government even refused to talk with them.

Refusing negotiations is telling your enemy you have the cards

Worryingly:
My take too.

The names, let's compare against the manifest of the vehicle to be sure they are free.

And then testimony from them confirming ransom wasn't paid.

It will be foolhardy believing any statement from a Nigerian government agency without 3-factor authentication.

them fit kidnapp you make your people pay ransom and kidnappers go still no release you...

cos me nor know wetin u wan use interview of weda them pay ransom or not..

Very sorry for the remaining captives if they are females those sex starved forest monsters will just completely destroy them.

Lithiumite:
Obidients should come and tell us how much ransom was paid within 25 hrs.

. I pity the person who is bankrolling your nuisance here on nairaland.

Worryingly:
My take too.

The names, let's compare against the manifest of the vehicle to be sure they are free.

And then testimony from them confirming ransom wasn't paid.

It will be foolhardy believing any statement from a Nigerian government agency without 3-factor authentication.

Na you pay the ransom?

Abi na say ransom easy to pay within 48 hours of an event?

You're confused.

Exousiang01:
I am short of words.
What a president.
I wish he could do 12 years.

Peter would have negotiated and paid.

The whole point of negotiating is that is enemy has a say.

In the case of the Oyo children, I love that the government even refused to talk with them.

Refusing negotiations is telling your enemy you have the cards

What does "doing 12 years" have to do with this?

That silly and deceitful agenda will not fly.

Charito1:
. I pity the person who is bankrolling your nuisance here on nairaland.

If you just scroll through again, you'll see at least one commenter already justified his point.

Lithiumite:
Obidients should come and tell us how much ransom was paid within 25 hrs.

Baba, those guys ( The Obis) will not be happy about this news, ajeh...they always wish bad occurrences in the country.

Kudos NPF. You'll find and rescue the remaining and then apprehend the culprits

Nigeria will be great beefe beeko....PBAT till 2031 lagbara Adeda 🙏

Kudos to the hunters and vigilantes who entered the forest.

LollyP94:
In the absence of bad news they resort to debunking good news about the country. That is obedients for you. Watch out how they'll attack me like a stranded D

😆 🤣 😂 this is a very strange behavior indeed.

Obidients will be very sad about the rescue

LollyP94:
Baba, those guys ( The Obis) will not be happy about this news, ajeh...they always wish bad occurrences in the country.

In the absence of bad news they resort to debunking good news about the country. That is obedients for you. Watch out how they'll attack me like a stranded D

somebody in the previous thread was saying they would be rescued asap i guess that person was on point.

saintopus:
Very good development, hoping for the release of the rest members kidnapped.

Security agents will rescue them bcoz they have been told what to do in such circumstances.

Not anymore would such happen.