By Isiaka Mustapha, Abuja
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of the corpse of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer after suspected bandits attacked a vehicle conveying his remains for burial and abducted several occupants.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police
Command, ASP Salisu Oyiza, said the attack took place on July 9, 2026, along the Ochadamu–Ejule Expressway.
According to Oyiza, armed hoodlums intercepted a Hummer bus carrying
the corpse and mourners, forcing the occupants into a nearby forest before fleeing the scene.
“The Command confirms that an abduction incident occurred on July 9,
2026, along the Ochadamu–Ejule Expressway when armed criminals
attacked a Hummer bus conveying a corpse from Lokoja to the eastern
part of the country and abducted the occupants into the bush,” she stated.
Oyiza disclosed that following a distress report, police operatives, working alongside military personnel, members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, and Community Policing volunteers, immediately launched a coordinated rescue operation in the area.
Oyiza explained that security teams conducted extensive search operations and succeeded in recovering the abandoned vehicle and the casket containing the remains of the deceased officer.
The recovered casket was subsequently evacuated and deposited at the Elemona Mortuary in Ejule for safekeeping.
The police spokesperson added that efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue those abducted during the attack while intensifying operations to track down and arrest the perpetrators.
Oyiza assured residents that the command remains committed to ensuring the safe return of the victims and restoring security along the affected route.
The incident has heightened concerns over the activities of armed criminal groups operating along major highways, prompting renewed calls for enhanced security measures to protect travellers and communities across the state.
