Kogi Police Reveal How 15 NYSC Members, Six Others Were Rescued From Kidnappers

The Kogi State Police Command has explained how 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and six other abducted persons were rescued from a kidnappers’ hideout in Egume Forest, Ofu Local Government Area.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Naziru Kankarofi, gave the details during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.

He said security agencies immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation after receiving information about the abduction. The operation involved the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), local vigilantes and hunters.

Kankarofi said the involvement of local hunters and vigilantes was particularly useful because of their knowledge of the difficult terrain.

“As soon as we were alerted, we put all necessary measures in place to ensure they were rescued and returned to their families. An emergency meeting was convened by all the service commanders: the Brigade Commander, the Commissioner of Police, and the Director of DSS,” he said.

According to the commissioner, the security commanders subsequently mapped out an operation and began searching the area, eventually narrowing their focus to the location where the kidnappers were holding the victims.

“We fashioned out a search-and-rescue operation, which commenced immediately. As the situation unfolded, we narrowed down to a particular spot and sought the support of local vigilantes and hunters who know the terrain very well,” he said.

The operation eventually led security forces to the kidnappers’ camp on Monday afternoon, where a gun battle broke out.

“The operation commenced in earnest on Sunday. To God be the glory, around 4:00 p.m. yesterday, we arrived at the camp of the kidnappers. There was a serious gun battle; they were eventually overpowered, and all the corps members were rescued,” Kankarofi said.

He disclosed that two of the rescued victims sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation, including one NYSC member and a civilian who had been abducted from another vehicle.

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“Unfortunately, two people suffered gunshot injuries to their right legs: one corps member and one civilian who was abducted from the second vehicle,” he said.

The commissioner explained that the NYSC members were travelling from Bayelsa State when they were attacked after entering Kogi through the Itobe-Ajaokuta Highway.

“When they entered Kogi along the Itobe–Ajaokuta Highway around 5:00 p.m., they were attacked and abducted into the bush alongside passengers from another vehicle coming from the opposite direction,” he said.

Four suspected kidnappers were reportedly killed during the gun battle, while several others escaped with injuries.

“Four of the kidnappers were killed during the exchange of fire, and several escaped with bullet wounds. A search-and-rescue operation has been going on since yesterday to mop up the area and arrest the fleeing suspects,” Kankarofi said.

He added that security personnel remained in the area to search for the fleeing suspects. The Kogi Police Command also contacted its counterpart in neighbouring Enugu State to prevent the suspects from escaping through possible routes into the state.

“As I am talking to you now, all our officers—military, police, DSS operatives, and hunters—are still at the operational theatre, and we are awaiting outcomes,” he said.

“This morning, I also linked up with the neighbouring command in Enugu State because that area leads into Enugu, and arrangements have been made to ensure their forces block their end of the region.”

The rescue operation followed the abduction of the 21 victims in Egume Forest. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, had earlier confirmed that the victims were rescued through a coordinated operation involving various security agencies.

Kankarofi urged residents and travellers not to panic over the incident, describing it as an isolated occurrence.

“These are just isolated cases,” he said.

The commissioner maintained that Kogi State remained largely peaceful and that security agencies were responding quickly whenever threats emerged.

“Kogi State has been generally peaceful and calm. The security forces here are very effective and respond promptly; that’s why when such situations happen, you get to know about them,” he said.

He also encouraged motorists and other travellers to continue using roads across the state, assuring them that security personnel were deployed to protect road users.

“But generally, the state is calm. You can feel free to travel through Kogi State with nothing to worry about.”