The corps members were reportedly attacked on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, while returning to Abuja after completing their orientation programme at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The development came to public attention after families and relatives of the affected corps members raised alarm over their whereabouts and appealed for urgent intervention.

However, the Kogi State Police Command has now confirmed the incident and provided an update on the rescue operation.

How the attack happened

The Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said the incident occurred at about 4:40pm on Wednesday when armed hoodlums emerged from the bush around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction.

According to her, the attackers blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions and abducted some of the passengers, while others managed to escape into the surrounding bush.

The two vehicles were subsequently abandoned at the scene.

“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,” Afusat said in a statement issued on Friday.

The police immediately commenced a coordinated search operation in the surrounding forest in an effort to locate the victims and apprehend the attackers.

11 victims rescued

The police spokesperson said the joint security team succeeded in rescuing 11 of the abducted victims during the operation.

Significantly, the rescued victims included the drivers of the two buses involved in the attack, contrary to earlier reports circulating online that a driver had been killed during the incident.

“Preliminary debriefing indicates that most of the rescued victims are NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja,” Afusat said.

The rescued victims were taken through necessary procedures and debriefed by the authorities before they were allowed to continue their journey.

The police did not disclose the identities of the rescued corps members or provide further details on their condition, but said they were successfully freed from the attackers.

The development is expected to provide some relief to families who had been anxiously waiting for information about their loved ones.

Search continues for remaining victims

Despite the successful rescue of 11 victims, the police said the operation had not ended, as security personnel were still combing the surrounding forest for the remaining victims.

The command said the ongoing operation was aimed at rescuing those still in captivity, 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,” the statement said.

The police also assured the public that further developments would be communicated as appropriate.

The ongoing search involves a joint security operation, with personnel deployed to the affected area and surrounding forests.

Corps members travelling from bayelsa

The victims were among corps members who had just completed their orientation programme in Bayelsa State and were travelling towards Abuja.

The NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma hosted the corps members before they commenced their journey to their respective destinations and places of primary assignment.

The incident has therefore heightened concerns over the safety of corps members travelling between states, particularly along highways where security challenges have previously been reported.

The affected corps members had reportedly completed the three-week orientation exercise before embarking on the journey.

Their abduction has consequently raised fresh questions about security arrangements for corps members travelling from orientation camps to their destinations.

Families await safe return

Before the police confirmation, relatives of the affected corps members had raised alarm over the incident and appealed to the NYSC, Federal Government and security agencies to intervene.

Families were particularly worried because they could not establish contact with some of the corps members after the attack.

The police confirmation that 11 victims have been rescued is expected to ease some of the anxiety among relatives, although families of those still missing remain concerned.

The ongoing rescue operation has therefore become critical as security agencies continue their search for the remaining victims.

Authorities are also expected to establish the identities of those rescued and those still in captivity as the operation progresses.

Security concerns along kogi highways

The latest incident has renewed concerns over security along major highways in Kogi State, particularly routes linking travellers from the southern part of the country to Abuja and other northern destinations.

The Ofu axis has previously featured in reports of attacks on motorists and travellers, making the latest incident another indication of the security challenges confronting road users in parts of the state.

The attack also occurred amid increased movement of corps members following the completion of orientation exercises across the country.

The situation has strengthened calls for improved security measures for corps members, particularly during periods when large numbers of them are travelling between orientation camps and their states of deployment.

Police promise further updates

The Kogi State Police Command said security agencies would continue to deploy operational and intelligence resources towards securing the affected area and rescuing the remaining victims.

The command also pledged to pursue the perpetrators responsible for the attack and ensure that they are brought to justice.

For now, the rescue of 11 victims, including the two drivers, represents a significant breakthrough in the operation, but the security agencies still face the task of locating the remaining abducted persons.

Families of those still unaccounted for are expected to remain hopeful as the search continues.

The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist the rescue operation.

Further developments are expected as the joint security operation continues in the forests around the affected area.