Security Forces Rescue Nine Corps Members Abducted in Kogi State

A joint security team has rescued 11 people abducted by gunmen in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, including nine National Youth Service Corps members.

The victims were kidnapped on Wednesday when armed men emerged from the bush and blocked two buses along the Aloma-Egane Expressway, near Ogene Zaria and the Ogene Zaria-Onicha-Igo Junction.

The attack happened at about 4:40 p.m., according to the Kogi State Police Command.

Some passengers escaped into the surrounding bush while others were taken away.

Police said the Divisional Police Officer in Ofu led a joint security team to the scene after receiving a distress call.

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

A coordinated bush search and rescue operation was then launched, resulting in the rescue of 11 victims, including the drivers of both buses.

Kogi police spokesperson ASP Saliu Afusat said preliminary questioning showed that most of the rescued victims were NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja.

“The operation resulted in the successful rescue of 11 abducted victims, including the drivers of the two buses,” Afusat said.

The rescued victims were debriefed and allowed to continue their journey after completing the required procedures.

Police said the operation remains underway in the surrounding forest to rescue any remaining victims and arrest those responsible for the attack.

“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,” the police said.