KEY POINTS
- Police rescued 10 more NYSC members abducted along a highway in Kogi.
- The operation involved the police, military and DSS.
- Security forces are still searching for remaining victims and pursuing the attackers.
The Kogi State Police Command has announced the rescue of 10 members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who were abducted by gunmen along a major highway in the state.
The corps members were among passengers attacked last Wednesday while travelling along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The incident occurred as the NYSC members were returning from their orientation programme in Bayelsa State and travelling to their various places of primary assignment.
The police said the latest rescue was achieved through a coordinated operation involving personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the military and the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement issued on Monday, Saliu Oyiza Afusat, spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, said the operation was intelligence-driven and sustained, with security agencies working together to locate the abducted victims.
The command said the operation was part of a broader effort to secure the safe release of the victims, disrupt the activities of the criminal group responsible for the attack and bring those behind the abduction to justice.
According to the police, the latest operation resulted in the rescue of an additional 10 NYSC members.
Police Had Earlier Rescued 11 Victims
The latest rescue comes after the Kogi police had previously announced the recovery of 11 abducted victims, including the drivers of the two buses involved in the incident.
At the time, the command said most of those rescued were NYSC members.
However, the police acknowledged that the exact number of people abducted during the attack had not been established.
The command has now confirmed that another 10 corps members have been rescued as security agencies continue efforts to account for and recover any remaining victims. Despite the successful rescue of the corps members, the police said the operation has not been concluded.
Security personnel have intensified their presence around the affected communities and surrounding areas in an effort to locate other possible victims and track down the attackers.
The police said the operation would continue until all the abducted persons are safely recovered.
The security agencies are also pursuing the perpetrators, with the aim of dismantling the criminal network believed to be operating in the area.
The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State commended personnel of the police, military, DSS and other supporting security and auxiliary agencies for their efforts during the rescue operation.
The command also acknowledged the role played by residents of communities around the area, particularly those who provided information that assisted security agencies in their operations.
The police stressed that timely and credible information from members of the public remains important in identifying criminal activities and preventing further attacks.
Residents were subsequently urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.
The abduction has once again raised concerns over the safety of corps members travelling between states, particularly on highways and other routes vulnerable to attacks by criminal groups.
The latest rescue, however, provides some relief as security agencies continue efforts to secure the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
