15 NYSC Members Reportedly Abducted by Gunmen in Kogi

Fifteen members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have reportedly been abducted by gunmen along the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo axis of Ofu Local Government Area in Kogi State.

The corps members, who were part of the 2026 Batch B Stream II, were reportedly attacked on Wednesday, August 26, while travelling from the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to Abuja.

A relative of one of the victims told the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) that the corps members were travelling in two buses when the attackers struck.

The relative identified his brother, Ayodele David, as one of those reportedly abducted.

A police officer, Adeji Joshua, who contacted some of the victims’ families, reportedly confirmed that the incident occurred along the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo axis in Ofu Local Government Area.

The victims were reportedly travelling in a Peace Mass Transit bus and another vehicle marked 564.

According to the source, the driver of the Peace Mass Transit bus was left behind after sustaining serious injuries during the attack and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.

The attackers were reportedly heard speaking Fulfulde, Hausa and English, although the victims’ relatives said they could not independently establish the identities or affiliations of the gunmen.

The source also disclosed that there were discrepancies between the number of people listed on one of the bus manifests and the number reportedly abducted.

According to him, 16 people were listed on the manifest, but one corps member was transferred to another vehicle after the driver said the bus was full. The injured driver reportedly stated that 15 passengers were subsequently taken by the attackers.

A video purportedly recorded at the scene reportedly showed gunmen shooting at the vehicles before abducting the passengers.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of corps members travelling between states, particularly along routes affected by criminal attacks and kidnappings.