The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 11 people, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), after they were abducted along the Aloma–Egane road in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were rescued during a coordinated security operation launched after armed men reportedly ambushed two buses near Ogene Zaria, around the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction, on August 26, 2026.
According to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the incident occurred at about 4:40pm when the assailants emerged from the bush, blocked the two buses travelling in opposite directions and abducted some of the passengers.
Some of the passengers reportedly escaped into the surrounding bush.
Following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Ofu mobilised a joint security team to the scene, where two abandoned vehicles were recovered.
The security operatives subsequently launched a bush-combing operation, leading to the rescue of all 11 abducted victims, including the drivers of the two buses.
The Command said preliminary debriefing showed that most of the rescued victims were NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja.
The victims were debriefed after undergoing the necessary procedures and were subsequently allowed to continue their journey.
However, barely a day after the rescue operation, another armed attack was reported along the Itobe–Ochadamu Expressway, particularly around Ojuwo Olijo in Ofu Local Government Area.
The Police said the second incident occurred at about 5:00pm on August 27, when armed assailants reportedly emerged from the surrounding bush and opened fire on motorists.
A blue Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA 636 CH was later found abandoned along the highway, with its driver reportedly found dead inside the vehicle.
Another occupant of the vehicle was allegedly abducted by the attackers.
The Police Command said its personnel, working alongside other security agencies, had commenced a search operation in the surrounding forest to locate and rescue the abducted occupant and apprehend the perpetrators.
The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has directed sustained security operations along the affected corridors and ordered efforts to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.
The Command also urged motorists and residents along the routes to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to the Police or other security agencies.
