Ten members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) abducted by suspected kidnappers in Kogi State have been rescued from Egume Forest in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were rescued during a joint security operation involving the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security and auxiliary personnel.
The rescue followed the abduction of the corps members and other travellers along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area while they were travelling between Bayelsa State and Abuja after completing their orientation programme.
Reports said 15 corps members were initially abducted, although earlier accounts of the incident contained varying figures on the number of victims and those rescued.
The Defence Headquarters and Kogi State Police Command confirmed that 10 corps members had been rescued in the latest operation, while security forces continued efforts to locate and rescue the remaining victims.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Michael Onoja, said the operation was ongoing, with security agencies intensifying efforts to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of those still in captivity.
“The operation is still ongoing, with security forces working to rescue the remaining victims and arrest the suspects,” he said.
The security agencies appealed to residents and members of the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information that could assist ongoing operations.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious movement or information that could help rescue the remaining victims and arrest the perpetrators,” the security authorities said.
The rescue comes amid reports that the kidnappers had contacted the families of some of the victims and demanded as much as ₦20 million for their release.
The ransom demand reportedly heightened concerns among families of the abducted corps members as security agencies launched coordinated operations across the affected areas of Kogi State.
The incident has again drawn attention to the security situation along major highways and routes linking parts of the North-Central region with the South-South.
Security forces, however, maintained that operations would continue until all remaining victims were rescued and those responsible for the abduction were apprehended and brought to justice.
