15 NYSC Members Reportedly Abducted Along Kogi Highway
15 NYSC Members Reportedly Abducted Along Kogi Highway
15 NYSC Members Reportedly Abducted Along Kogi Highway
At least 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have reportedly been abducted by gunmen along the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo axis of Ofu Local Government Area, Kogi State.
The corps members, who were part of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II, were reportedly attacked on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while travelling from the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing their orientation programme.
According to a relative of one of the victims who spoke to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the corps members were travelling in two buses when the attackers intercepted them along the highway.
One of the victims, identified as Ayodele David, was reportedly among those taken away.
A police officer, Adeji Joshua, who reportedly contacted some of the victims’ families, confirmed that the incident occurred along the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo axis in Ofu LGA.
The victims were said to have been travelling in a Peace Mass Transit bus and another vehicle marked 564.
The relative said the driver of the Peace Mass Transit bus was left behind after sustaining serious injuries during the attack and was subsequently taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
He further disclosed that 16 passengers were listed on one of the vehicle’s manifests, but one corps member was reportedly transferred to another vehicle after the driver indicated that the bus was full.
“From the explanation of the driver, who was badly injured, 15 passengers were kidnapped even though 16 people were listed on the manifest,” the source said.
The relative also claimed that the attackers spoke Fulfulde, Hausa and English, although the families could not independently establish the identities or affiliations of the assailants.
The reported abduction has heightened concerns over the safety of corps members travelling between states, particularly along routes affected by insecurity.
Authorities are expected to intensify efforts to locate the abducted corps members and secure their safe release, while investigations into the incident continue.
15 NYSC Members Reportedly Abducted Along Kogi Highway
