Gunmen abduct NYSC members in Kogi as police rescue 11

Several members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were abducted on Wednesday along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu LGA of Kogi state.   The corps members were returning from the NYSC orientation camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa state when the incident happened.   In a statement made available to TheCable on Friday, Saliu Afusat, spokesperson of the Kogi police command, said a rescue operation was undertaken immediately after the kidnapping.   Afusat said the operation resulted in “the successful rescue of 11 abducted victims, including the drivers of the two buses”.     The Kogi police spokesperson said “most” of the rescued victims were identified as NYSC members.   TheCable cannot immediately ascertain the number of corps members seized by the assailants.   “At about 1640hrs, armed hoodlums emerged from the bush around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction, blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions and abducted some passengers, while others escaped into the surrounding bush,” the police statement reads in part.     “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.   “A coordinated bush-combing and rescue operation was immediately launched. The operation resulted in the successful rescue of 11 abducted victims, including the drivers of the two buses. Preliminary debriefing indicates that most of the rescued victims are NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja.   “The rescued victims have been debriefed and, after necessary procedures, were allowed to continue their journey.”   The Kogi police command said “every available operational and intelligence resource is being deployed” to rescue the remaining victims.     FAMILY MEMBERS REACT   The incident has sparked reactions on X, with several people claiming their relatives were among the victims of the abduction and insisting they were yet to regain their freedom.   In a viral video, a lady identified as Chidimma was seen in tears, calling on the government, the NYSC and Nigerians to intervene and help secure the release of her sister.   “My sister went to Bayelsa for NYSC three-week camp. After which she was posted to Niger State. She had planned to sleep over in Abuja and on the next day, Thursday, proceed to Niger State for her PPA,” the lady said.     “On her way coming to Abuja, kidnappers attacked them. The driver was killed. My sister and the rest of the corps members were taken to the bush. Up till now, we have not heard anything.   “The police have not given us any positive feedback. I’m begging Nigerians and the government to do something. Please, nothing should happen to my sister. We just lost our mum not quite long ago.”     In another post, a man identified as Chisom Ede also claimed his sister was among the abductees.   “Hello everyone, please, I urgently need your help and attention. My sister and other NYSC corps members who left Bayelsa State yesterday were attacked along the Kogi Express Road. Sadly, the driver was killed, and the corps members were reportedly taken into the forest,” he wrote.     “Up until now, we have not heard from them, and the family is deeply worried and devastated. We have contacted the police, but unfortunately, we have not received any positive feedback yet.   “Please, I am appealing to the NYSC, the Federal Government, security agencies, and everyone who can help to urgently intervene and do everything possible to rescue them safely.”     Another X user, identified as @ddevilsworkshop, also claimed his sister was among the victims.   He shared a list purportedly containing the names of passengers who boarded the Peace Mass Transit vehicle, saying the abductors had demanded N20 million in ransom.

The police said 11 victims, including the drivers of two buses, were rescued after a coordinated search operation, while efforts continue to locate the remaining abducted corps members. The post 11 NYSC members rescued after Kogi abduction appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Police confirm the abduction of NYSC corps members in Kogi State, rescuing 11. Joint security operations are ongoing to free remaining Kogi corps members. Read More: https://punchng.com/police-confirm-abduction-of-corps-members-rescue-11-in-kogi/

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that armed gunmen abducted several National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja, and that 11 of the victims have been rescued.The attack occurred last Wednesday along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area. Armed men emerged from the bush near Ogene Zaria, close to the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction, and blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions. Some passengers were taken, while others fled into the surrounding bush.Police spokesperson ASP Salisu Oyiza Afusat said the Divisional Police Officer in Ofu led a joint security team to the scene after a distress call. Officers recovered two abandoned vehicles, a white Peace Mass Transit Hummer bus and a yellow 18-seater bus, before launching a coordinated bush-combing and rescue operation.The operation freed 11 people, including the drivers of both buses. Preliminary debriefing showed that most of the rescued victims were NYSC members returning from the orientation camp in Bayelsa. After being debriefed and completing necessary procedures, they were allowed to continue their journey.Afusat said the joint security operation is still underway in the surrounding forests, with the goals of rescuing any remaining victims, apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. The command assured the public that all available operational and intelligence resources are being deployed to secure the area and recover those still held.The police confirmation followed a viral video in which a woman, identifying herself as the sister of one of the abducted corps members, made an emotional appeal for help. She said her sister had completed the three-week NYSC orientation in Bayelsa and was travelling back to Abuja when the bus was attacked. The woman pleaded with the government, NYSC authorities and the public for their safe release, noting that the family had recently lost their mother.    

Several members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were abducted on Wednesday along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, with the police confirming the rescue of 11 victims. The corps members were reportedly travelling from the NYSC orientation camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State when armed […] The post Gunmen abduct NYSC members in Kogi, 11 rescued — Police appeared first on Vanguard News.