Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Fifteen members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been abducted by gunmen in Kogi State while travelling home after completing their orientation programme in Bayelsa State, raising fresh concerns over the security of corps members on major highways across Nigeria.
The victims, who belonged to the 2026 Batch B Stream II, were travelling towards Abuja on Wednesday after the conclusion of camp activities at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The abduction occurred along the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, a route frequently used by travellers moving between the South-South and the Federal Capital Territory.
Reports indicated that the corps members were travelling in a Peace Mass Transit bus and another commercial vehicle when armed men intercepted the vehicles and forcefully took away several passengers.
A relative of one of the victims, Ayodele David, said families were informed about the incident after a police officer contacted next-of-kin using details obtained from the passengers’ manifest.
“According to a police officer who contacted us later that night, the incident occurred around Ofu Local Government Area, Kogi State, along the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo axis. The officer said he obtained our next-of-kin contact from the passengers’ manifest left behind,” the relative said.
He added, “My brother is among the affected corps members, and our family is deeply worried about his safety, along with that of the other young Nigerians who have been taken.”
A police officer identified as Adeji Joshua confirmed the incident and disclosed that the driver of the Peace Mass Transit bus survived the attack but sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
According to him, 15 passengers were abducted from the Peace Mass vehicle despite 16 names appearing on the manifest, explaining that one corps member had earlier been transferred to another vehicle because the bus was already full.
“From the explanation of the driver, who was badly injured, fifteen passengers were kidnapped even though 16 people were listed on the manifest. For the last corps member, the driver told her the bus was full and said he could not add one more passenger, so he had to transfer her to another vehicle,” Joshua said.
He added, “But the rest of them in that bus, which is Peace Mass number 2826, were kidnapped. Meanwhile, the driver was badly injured, and we had to rush him to the hospital immediately. But as of this morning, he is better now.”
Joshua also disclosed that a second vehicle was caught up in the attack, but most of its passengers were allowed to continue their journey because several were travelling with babies, while four occupants were reportedly taken away.
Security sources said preliminary accounts from the injured driver suggested that the attackers communicated in Fulfulde, Hausa and English. Authorities, however, said the identities of the gunmen have yet to be established.
A video reportedly recorded at the scene showed evidence that the attackers opened fire before taking the victims away, while families continue to await updates on rescue efforts and the whereabouts of the abducted corps members.
The NYSC had yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report. Security agencies are also yet to announce any breakthrough in efforts to secure the release of the victims.
