By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The Kogi State Police Command has revealed details of how joint security forces rescued 15 abducted National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and six other travellers from kidnappers in Egume Forest, Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Kankarofi, disclosed the development during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
According to Kankarofi, security forces launched a search-and-rescue operation immediately after receiving news of the abduction, drawing personnel from the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), local vigilantes, and hunters.
The Police Commissioner explained that the involvement of local hunters and vigilantes was crucial to the operation due to their deep familiarity with the forest 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,” Kankarofi said.
He noted that security chiefs subsequently designed a tactical search-and-rescue operation that began immediately and intensified once the location of the kidnappers was pinpointed.
“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 stated.
The operation culminated in a fierce gun battle at the kidnappers’ camp on Monday afternoon, during which four suspected kidnappers were killed and all the victims were successfully rescued.
“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,” the Commissioner disclosed.
He added that two of the rescued victims suffered gunshot injuries to their right legs during the exchange of fire, identifying them as one corps member and one civilian abducted from a second vehicle.
The Police Commissioner explained that the corps members were travelling from the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bayelsa State to Abuja when gunmen attacked and kidnapped them along 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,” Kankarofi recalled.
He further revealed that four of the kidnappers were neutralised during the gun battle, while several others escaped deeper into the forest with bullet wounds.
“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,” he said.
Kankarofi added that security forces remained deployed in the operational theatre to track down the fleeing suspects, while the command had linked up with its counterpart in Enugu State to block potential escape routes.
“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.
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,” Kankarofi stated.
The commissioner urged residents and travellers to remain calm, reassuring the public that the incident was an isolated case and that Kogi State remains generally calm and secure for travellers.
“These are just isolated cases. 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. You can feel free to travel through Kogi State with nothing to worry about,” he assured.
