A woman has made a tearful appeal for the rescue of her sister and other National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted by gunmen along a highway in Kogi State after completing their orientation in Bayelsa State.
The victims were among 15 corps members reportedly abducted on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while travelling towards Abuja.
Woman Seeks Urgent Rescue
In a video circulating on social media on Friday, August 28, the woman appealed to the Federal Government, security agencies, NYSC and members of the public to intervene.
She said her sister and other corps members left Bayelsa State on Wednesday before gunmen attacked their vehicles along the Kogi Express Road.
The woman, who broke down in tears, said the victims were taken into the forest and pleaded for urgent action, describing them as “someone’s children, siblings and loved ones.”
She said the family had contacted the police but had yet to receive positive information about their whereabouts.
15 Corps Members Abducted
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reported that 15 members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II were abducted after leaving the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
They were travelling towards Abuja when gunmen attacked them along the Ofu/Itobe-Onicha-Igo axis in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Relatives told FIJ that some of the victims were travelling in a Peace Mass Transit bus numbered 2826, while others were in a yellow Toyota marked 564.
Driver Injured During Attack
Details about the fate of the bus driver differ between the viral appeal and independent reporting.
The woman said the driver was killed during the attack. However, FIJ reported that the driver was badly injured and taken to hospital, where he was said to be improving the following morning.
A police officer, Adeji Joshua, reportedly contacted some families using next-of-kin information contained in the passenger manifest recovered at the scene.
The attackers reportedly spoke Fulfulde, Hausa and English. Footage from the scene also showed evidence that the gunmen shot at the vehicles before taking some passengers into the forest.
Families Await Rescue
Passengers travelling in the second vehicle, including several people with babies, were largely allowed to leave, although a few were reportedly taken. One corps member who was moved to another vehicle because the main bus was full also escaped the abduction.
As of August 28, there was no confirmed report that the abducted corps members had been released. Details about any ransom demand or specific rescue operation also remained unclear.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of NYSC members travelling on Nigerian highways, particularly immediately after completing orientation programmes.
