Bandits abduct 15 NYSC members in Kogi
Bandits operating along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State have abducted 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.
The incident occurred at about 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, according to the Kogi State Police Command, as reported by ARISE News.
The corps members were reportedly travelling from the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to Abuja when the assailants intercepted their buses.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, in a statement issued to ARISE News on Friday, said security operatives had launched a rescue operation to recover the abducted corps members and other victims.
According to Afusat, the armed hoodlums emerged from the bush around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria–Onicha-Igo Junction, where they blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions and abducted some of the passengers. Others reportedly 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.
The rescued victims were subsequently debriefed and, after the necessary procedures, allowed to continue their journey, according to the statement.
The command said the joint security operation was still ongoing in the surrounding forest, with the aim 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.
