Pix: IGP Tunji Disu

By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of some National Youth Service Corps members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja, announcing that 11 victims have been rescued.

The victims were abducted on Wednesday along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of the state when armed men reportedly emerged from the bush and blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions. The attackers forced some passengers into the surrounding bush, while others managed to escape.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Salisu Oyiza Afusat, said the Divisional Police Officer in Ofu led a joint security team to the area after receiving a distress call. She said two abandoned vehicles, a Peace Mass Transit white Hummer bus and a yellow 18-seater bus, were recovered before security personnel commenced a coordinated search and rescue operation.

According to Afusat, the operation led to the rescue of 11 victims, including the drivers of the two buses. She said preliminary information indicated that most of those rescued were NYSC members returning from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing their orientation programme. The victims were debriefed and, after necessary procedures, were allowed to continue their journey.

The police spokesperson said the operation was still ongoing in the surrounding forest, with security personnel working to locate any remaining victims, apprehend the suspected kidnappers and bring them to justice. She assured residents and travellers that the command was deploying available operational and intelligence resources to secure the area and prevent further attacks.

The police confirmation followed an emotional appeal by a woman who identified herself as the sister of one of the abducted corps members. In a viral video, she said her sister had travelled to Bayelsa for the mandatory three-week NYSC orientation programme and was attacked while returning to Abuja. She appealed to the government, NYSC and members of the public to assist in securing the safe release of the remaining victims.