LOKOJA, Nigeria — Nigerian security forces have rescued 21 people, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps, from kidnappers in Kogi State after a coordinated operation involving the military, police, intelligence officers and local security groups.
The corps members were abducted while traveling from an NYSC orientation camp in Bayelsa State toward Abuja. Authorities said gunmen intercepted their vehicle along the Itobe Ajaokuta Highway and forced the passengers into a nearby forest.
Kogi State police said security agencies launched a joint search after receiving reports of the abduction. The operation involved officers from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, military personnel, hunters and vigilante groups familiar with the area.
The search eventually led security teams to a hideout in Ofu Local Government Area, where they engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle. Police said four suspected abductors were killed, while others escaped into the surrounding forest.
All 21 captives were freed during the operation. Authorities said two of the rescued victims, including one corps member, suffered gunshot wounds and were taken for medical treatment.
One of the rescued corps members, David Ayodele, later described the ordeal as terrifying. He said the kidnappers fired shots into the air, beat some of the captives and threatened to hold them for weeks before killing them.
“They threatened to keep us in the forest for one month and kill us,” Ayodele said, recalling how the victims were warned not to move without permission. His account highlighted the fear many kidnapping victims face while being held in remote areas.
President Bola Tinubu welcomed the rescue and praised the security personnel involved in the operation. He said the government would continue to pursue those responsible and ensure that the victims received medical care before being reunited with their families.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the dangers faced by young Nigerians serving under the NYSC program. Established in 1973 to promote national unity after the civil war, the scheme sends graduates to serve for one year outside their home regions, often requiring long-distance travel.
Kidnapping remains one of Nigeria’s most serious security challenges, particularly on highways and in rural communities. While the successful rescue in Kogi brought relief to the victims and their families, the attack has renewed concerns about road safety, criminal gangs and the need for stronger protection for travelers and corps members across the country.
