Kogi Highway Abduction: 11 Rescued as NYSC Members’ Families Await News of Those Still Missing

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Anxiety continues to grip families of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members following a highway attack in Kogi State that left several passengers abducted, as security operatives intensify efforts to locate anyone still being held by the attackers.

The incident occurred at about 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction in Ofu Local Government Area, according to the Kogi State Police Command.

Police said armed men emerged from the surrounding bush and blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions along the Aloma–Egane corridor.

Some passengers managed to escape into the surrounding bush, while others were taken away by the attackers.

The two vehicles, a white Peace Mass Transit Hummer bus and a yellow 18-seater bus, were later recovered abandoned at the scene after security personnel responded to a distress call.

A joint security team led by the Divisional Police Officer in Ofu subsequently launched a coordinated search through the surrounding forest.

According to the police, the operation resulted in the rescue of 11 abducted victims, including the drivers of both buses.

Preliminary debriefing indicated that most of those rescued were NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa State towards Abuja after completing their orientation programme.

The rescued victims were debriefed and, after the necessary procedures, allowed to continue their journey, police said.

The development followed reports that 15 NYSC members had initially been abducted while returning from the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Relatives of some of the affected corps members told reporters that the victims were travelling in two buses after completing the 2026 Batch B Stream II orientation programme.

One relative who spoke to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism identified his brother, Ayodele David, as one of those reportedly taken during the attack. Premium Times reported that the relative said a passenger manifest contained the names of people travelling on one of the buses.

However, the exact number of people still missing after the police rescue operation has not been independently established.

That distinction is important because the police have confirmed the rescue of 11 victims but have not publicly provided a final breakdown of how many people remain in captivity.

Families have continued appealing for information about their relatives as security agencies search the forested area.

The incident has also generated concern among relatives and members of the public because many of those travelling had only recently completed their NYSC orientation programme in Bayelsa and were beginning their journeys to their places of primary assignment.

According to reports from relatives, some passengers escaped during the attack and made their way into surrounding areas. The driver of one of the buses was reportedly injured during the incident and subsequently received medical attention.

Authorities have not confirmed claims circulating among relatives and on social media about ransom demands, and no ransom figure should therefore be treated as established fact.

The Kogi Police Command said the search operation remains active, with security personnel working to locate any remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Police also assured residents and motorists using the route that operational and intelligence resources were being deployed to improve security along the affected corridor.

The attack has renewed concerns about security along some highways in Kogi State, particularly routes passing through areas with extensive forest cover.

The Ofu area has recorded other kidnapping incidents in recent weeks.

On August 9, security agencies reported another abduction involving commuters along roads in Ofu Local Government Area. The Nigerian Army later said 16 victims were rescued after troops working with other security personnel and local groups engaged the abductors.

The latest attack has therefore heightened calls for stronger security measures along major interstate routes used by travellers, commercial buses and corps members returning from orientation camps.

For families of the affected NYSC members, however, the immediate priority remains finding everyone who may still be missing.

The police said the joint operation would continue until the remaining victims are located and the perpetrators brought to justice.

As the search continues, relatives are hoping that the rescue of the first 11 victims will be followed by the safe recovery of everyone still unaccounted for.

For now, the confirmed development is clear: 11 victims have been rescued, while security forces continue searching for any remaining abductees following the Kogi highway attack.