Fifteen National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State have regained their freedom after a rescue operation by security agents. The corps members were reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja after […]
Fifteen National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State have regained their freedom after a rescue operation by security agents.
The corps members were reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing their mandatory three-week NYSC orientation programme.
Their release has brought relief to their families and loved ones, who had been anxiously awaiting news of their whereabouts since the incident.
The corps members had completed their orientation exercise at the NYSC camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and were reportedly travelling to Abuja when the vehicles conveying them came under attack.
Armed assailants were said to have ambushed the travellers along the Aloma-Egane Expressway before taking the corps members into captivity.
Following the incident, security agencies launched efforts to locate the victims and secure their safe release.
The successful rescue has now allowed the corps members to reunite with their families, although accounts emerging from some of the victims indicate that they went through a frightening experience while in captivity.
One of the rescued corps members, identified as David Ayodele, recounted part of the ordeal in a video circulating on social media.
David explained that the corps members had just completed their three-week orientation programme and were travelling towards Abuja to begin their respective places of primary assignment when their vehicle was intercepted.
According to him, the attackers ambushed the vehicle carrying the corps members and subsequently took them hostage.
David said the kidnappers warned the victims against attempting to escape, allegedly threatening to kill anyone who tried to flee.
He said the threats created fear among the corps members, leaving them uncertain about what would happen to them.
The victim further claimed that the kidnappers told them they could remain in captivity for as long as one month.
According to his account, the threat of prolonged captivity added to the psychological pressure experienced by the corps members during their time with the assailants.
The rescued corps member’s account provides an insight into the ordeal faced by the victims before security operatives eventually secured their freedom.
The incident occurred shortly after the corps members completed one of the compulsory stages of the NYSC programme.
The three-week orientation exercise is designed to prepare corps members for their service year and includes activities aimed at promoting discipline, national integration and community development.
After completing the exercise in Bayelsa State, the affected corps members reportedly commenced their journey to Abuja when they were attacked.
Their abduction has consequently raised fresh concerns about the safety of corps members travelling between states, particularly on highways where criminal groups have been known to target motorists and passengers.
The rescue operation was reportedly carried out by security agents following efforts to locate the abducted corps members.
The successful operation has brought an end to the immediate ordeal faced by the 15 victims.
While details surrounding the operation remain limited, the release of the corps members is expected to provide some relief to their families, who had been living with uncertainty since the abduction.
