A wave of panic has swept through the Federal Civil Service following the abduction of six senior Directors from the Federal Ministry of Defence by armed assailants along the Kaba–Lokoja highway. The incident occurred on Monday, November 10, 2025, as the officials were travelling from Lagos to Abuja to participate in a Directorate-level promotion examination.
According to reliable accounts, the convoy conveying the officers was ambushed in what eyewitnesses described as a carefully planned attack. The gunmen, reportedly armed and operating in large numbers, forced the vehicles to a halt before abducting the senior officials and disappearing into a nearby forest.
The kidnapped officers have been identified as Mrs. Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs. C.A. Emeribe, Mrs. Helen C. Ezeakor, Mrs. C.A. Ladoye, Mrs. J.A. Onwuzurike, and Mrs. Catherine O. Essien—all senior Directors attached to the Command Day Secondary School (CDSS), Ojo, Lagos.
The news of their abduction has sent shockwaves through the Ministry of Defence and the wider civil service community, prompting an outpouring of concern and calls for immediate government action. Senior officials within the ministry have described the situation as deeply distressing, citing the increasing dangers faced by government personnel travelling for official duties.
In response to the development, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) expressed strong condemnation of the abduction, calling it an assault on the nation’s workforce. The union confirmed that security agencies had been mobilized to launch a coordinated operation aimed at rescuing the victims unharmed.
Union leaders also renewed their appeal for the decentralization of promotion examinations and other official activities, arguing that the current practice of compelling civil servants to travel long distances to Abuja exposes them to unnecessary risks, especially given the worsening security situation and poor state of many highways.
“We have repeatedly warned about the dangers of moving workers across states for official examinations,” a senior union official said. “This tragic incident reinforces the urgent need for the government to conduct such exercises at the state level to protect the lives of civil servants.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence is said to have intensified efforts to locate and rescue the kidnapped officials. A special task force comprising military personnel, intelligence officers, and local security operatives has reportedly been deployed to scour forested areas and known criminal hideouts across Kogi State and its environs.
Families of the victims have been thrown into anguish, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. Inside the ministry, the atmosphere remains tense as staff members continue to monitor developments and pray for the safe return of their colleagues.
Security analysts have described the abduction as a stark reminder of the growing reach and sophistication of criminal networks operating across Nigeria’s highways. They urged the federal government to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve road surveillance, and prioritize the safety of public officers travelling for national assignments.
As rescue efforts continue, the abduction of the six Defence Ministry Directors stands as another grim indicator of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in both national security and civil service logistics.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has officially appointed Bilaal Akinola as the new Chief Imam of Oyo land, marking a significant moment for the ancient town’s Muslim community and religious leadership. The appointment follows a careful selection and screening process to fill the revered position left vacant after the passing of the former Chief Imam, Mashood Ajokidero III, who died in early 2023. The announcement was made […]
Post comments (0)