Kogi Police confirm kidnapping of corps members, rescue 11

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that some National Youth Service Corps members were kidnapped while traveling from Bayelsa State to Abuja. They said they have rescued 11 victims so far.

The incident happened last Wednesday along the Aloma, Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area. Armed men reportedly came out of the bush and blocked two buses going in opposite directions.

The police confirmed the rescue on Friday after our correspondent made inquiries.

ASP Salisu Oyiza Afusat, the command’s spokesperson, said the Divisional Police Officer of Ofu led a joint security team to the scene after receiving an emergency call. She mentioned that two abandoned vehicles were found, including a white Hummer bus from Peace Mass Transit and a yellow 18-seater bus.

The police launched a coordinated operation in the bush after the vehicles were recovered. “At about 1640hrs, armed men came out of the bush around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction. They blocked two buses and kidnapped some passengers while others ran into the bush,” Afusat said.

She added that the operation led to the successful rescue of 11 victims, which included the drivers of the two buses. “Most of the rescued victims are NYSC members traveling from Bayelsa State to Abuja,” she noted.

Afusat said that the rescued individuals had been debriefed and, after following necessary procedures, were allowed to continue their journey. She mentioned that the joint security operation is still ongoing in the surrounding forest. Their main goals are to rescue any remaining victims and catch the kidnappers.

The police assured the public that they are using all available resources to secure the area and bring the remaining victims back safely.

This confirmation from the police came after a woman, claiming to be the sister of one of the kidnapped corps members, made a heartfelt appeal for government help in a viral video.

In the video, she explained that her sister had gone to Bayelsa for the three-week NYSC orientation program and was on her way back to Abuja when the vehicle was attacked. “My sister went to Bayelsa for camp, three weeks camp. And after she was posted… On her way coming back from Bayelsa to Abuja… kidnappers attacked them,” she said.

She called on the government, NYSC, and Nigerians to assist in getting the kidnapped victims released. “I am begging Nigerians… Nothing should happen to them. Nothing should happen to my sister,” she pleaded.

The woman also mentioned that their family had recently lost their mother and asked for help in ensuring her sister's safe return. “Please, everybody help us. Everybody help us. My family is going through a lot, please,” she said.