The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 11 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were abducted by armed bandits while travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja.

Four other victims are still unaccounted for as security operatives continue a search operation in the forests around the scene of the attack.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The NYSC members were reportedly returning to Abuja after completing their orientation programme in Bayelsa State when armed assailants ambushed their vehicles.

In a statement issued in response to a press inquiry, the Police Public Relations Officer, Kogi State Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said the attackers emerged from the bush at about 4:40pm around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction.

According to the command, the gunmen blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions and abducted some of the occupants, while others fled into the surrounding bush to escape.

Following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Ofu led a joint team of security operatives to the location.

Two abandoned vehicles—a white Peace Mass Transit Hummer bus and a yellow 18-seater bus—were subsequently recovered at the scene.

The police said security personnel immediately commenced coordinated bush-combing and rescue operations in the area.

The operation eventually led to the rescue of 11 victims, including the drivers of the two buses.

The rescued victims were taken through necessary procedures and debriefed before being permitted to continue their journey.

The police said preliminary information obtained during the debriefing showed that most of the rescued passengers were NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa to Abuja.

However, four victims remain missing, prompting security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and rescue them.

The command said the operation was still ongoing in the surrounding forests, with security personnel also working to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“The joint security operation remains ongoing in the surrounding forest with the primary objectives of rescuing the remaining victims, apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice,” the police said.