Kogi Horror: Kidnapped NYSC Members Rescued, Victims Recount Ordeal

A harrowing incident of abduction in Kogi State, Nigeria, saw National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other travelers held captive by suspected kidnappers, only to be dramatically rescued by a multi-agency security operation. David Ayodele, one of the rescued NYSC members, provided a first-hand account of the terrifying ordeal, detailing the threats and conditions endured during their captivity.

The abduction occurred around August 26, when Mr. Ayodele and fellow corps members were en route to Abuja from Bayelsa State, having completed their orientation program. They were traveling in an organized vehicle, which was intercepted by armed assailants along the Ofu/Itobe-Onicha-Igo axis in Ofu Local Government Area, specifically near Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction. Mr. Ayodele recounted how the kidnappers, emerging from the bush, fired shots into the air and forced passengers out of their vehicle after the driver's attempt to escape failed. The victims were then marched into the forest, subjected to physical abuse including flogging and kicking, amidst continuous shouting from their captors.

Deep within the dense bush, the kidnappers issued grim threats, ordering the abductees to sit and warning them of prolonged captivity and eventual death. "We reached one kind of bushy area; they asked us to sit down, they asked us who would drink water, that we would be here for one month, so they would kill all of us," Ayodele stated. Movement without permission was strictly forbidden under the threat of being shot, instilling profound fear among the captives. They were forced to trek a considerable distance through the rugged forest terrain before help arrived.

The Kogi Police Command initially confirmed the incident on August 28, reporting that 11 victims had been rescued and that search operations were ongoing. Two abandoned vehicles, including a Peace Mass Transit bus and an 18-seater bus, were recovered from the scene of the attack. The full rescue operation, a well-coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) mission, culminated on Monday, August 31. A combined team comprising personnel from the military, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes successfully liberated all 21 abductees from a kidnappers’ den located in the forests of Ofu Local Government Area, specifically identified as Egume Forest.

President Bola Tinubu personally announced the successful rescue, expressing immense relief and commending the bravery and coordination of the security agencies. The rescued group included 15 NYSC members and six other innocent Nigerians, comprising eight males and thirteen females. President Tinubu assured that the victims were receiving necessary medical attention and would soon be reunited with their families. He also issued a firm directive for security forces to continue their pursuit of the criminal elements responsible, vowing that they would face the full wrath of the law, and that all who aided the crime would be held accountable.

Both the Kogi State Government and the National Youth Service Corps lauded the security forces for their exceptional efforts. Governor Ahmed Ododo, through Commissioner for Information and Communications Kingsley Fanwo, highlighted the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in the successful operation. Governor Ododo delivered a strong warning to criminals, asserting that "Kogi is always ready to obliterate any threat to lives and property in the state." Similarly, the NYSC, via its Director of Information and Public Relations Caroline Embu, expressed gratitude to the families of the affected corps members for their patience and confirmed that the rescued individuals were in good spirits and preparing to resume their primary assignments.

Kogi State Commissioner of Police Naziru Kankarofi elaborated on the intricate details of the rescue mission. Following an emergency meeting, security commanders narrowed their search to a specific area within the forest, enlisting the invaluable assistance of local hunters and vigilantes familiar with the terrain. The operation reached the kidnappers’ camp around 4 p.m. on Monday, leading to an intense gun battle. During the confrontation, four suspected kidnappers were neutralized, while others managed to flee, sustaining gunshot wounds. Tragically, one corps member and one other victim sustained gunshot injuries during the crossfire but were promptly taken for medical treatment.

This incident is unfortunately part of a pattern, as Kogi State has been grappling with criminal groups exploiting its extensive highway networks and forest corridors for abduction purposes. Previous occurrences include the abduction of 16 individuals along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads on August 9, and the rescue of a school principal, a NECO official, and two students on July 16. These incidents underscore the persistent security challenges in the region. However, the latest successful rescue demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian government and its security apparatus to safeguard its citizens, particularly those serving the nation as corps members.