Gunmen Kill APC Chairman, Abduct NYSC Members In Kogi

• Gunmen have killed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Ishaq Yunusa.

• The attackers also abducted another occupant of Yunusa’s vehicle after opening fire on motorists along the Itobe–Ochadamu Expressway.

• The incident occurred a day after 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were abducted while returning to Abuja after their orientation programme in Bayelsa State.

• Police and other security agencies have launched operations to search the forests around the affected corridor, rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

August 28, () — Gunmen have killed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Ishaq Yunusa, and abducted another occupant of his vehicle in a fresh attack along the Itobe–Ochadamu Expressway.

In a statement on Friday, Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Saliu, said the incident occurred on Thursday at about 5 pm around Ojuwo Olijo in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

Saliu said armed assailants emerged from the surrounding bush and opened fire on motorists travelling along the highway. A blue Toyota Corolla, with registration number GWA 636 CH, was later found abandoned on the road.

“The driver, identified as Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, was found dead in the vehicle, while another occupant was taken into the bush by the assailants”, the police spokesperson said.

Yunusa’s remains were subsequently evacuated to Grimard Hospital, Anyigba, for autopsy.

Following the attack, the police command, in collaboration with other security agencies, intensified operations in the area, with personnel combing the surrounding forests in an effort to locate and rescue the abducted victim. The command said it was also pursuing all available leads to identify and apprehend the assailants.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, directed sustained security operations along the affected corridor and ordered security personnel to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

The police also urged motorists and residents in communities along the route to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.

15 NYSC Members Reportedly Abducted

The killing of the APC chairman occurred barely 24 hours after 15 NYSC members were reportedly abducted by armed men while travelling through the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo axis of Ofu Local Government Area.

The corps members were said to be returning to Abuja after completing their orientation programme at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

They were reportedly intercepted on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while travelling towards the Federal Capital Territory.

A relative of one of the victims, who spoke with FIJ on Thursday, confirmed that the corps members were among those travelling to Abuja when the incident occurred.

However, details surrounding the abduction remained unclear as of the time of filing the report.