Gunmen abduct six Defence Ministry Directors on Kaba–Lokoja Highway

Panic has spread across the Federal Civil Service following the abduction of six Directors from the Federal Ministry of Defence by suspected gunmen along the Kaba–Lokoja highway.

The senior officials were reportedly kidnapped on Monday, November 10, 2025, while travelling from Lagos to Abuja for a Directorate-level promotion examination. Sources described the incident as a coordinated ambush by the assailants.

The abduction has triggered widespread concern within the Defence Ministry and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) over the safety of public servants travelling long distances for official duties.

In a joint statement, ASCSN President, Shehu Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, condemned the attack and assured members that urgent efforts were underway to rescue the victims.

According to the statement, the kidnapped officials are Mrs. Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs. C.A. Emeribe, Mrs. C. Helen Ezeakor, Mrs. C.A. Ladoye, Mrs. J.A. Onwuzurike, and Mrs. Catherine O. Essien. All six directors are members of the union and staff of the Command Day Secondary School (CDSS), Ojo, Lagos.

The union said the Ministry of Defence had mobilized its security units, which were already taking steps to ensure the safe return of the abducted officials.

“We have always advised the Federal Civil Service Commission to conduct promotion examinations in the states instead of compelling public service employees to travel long distances to Abuja,” the statement read. “The current security situation and deplorable road conditions expose workers to grave risks.”

The ASCSN urged the government to decentralize all promotion and verification exercises to prevent further tragedies, warning that continued disregard for security concerns could endanger more lives.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has intensified efforts to locate the victims, deploying specialized security teams to comb suspected hideouts around Kogi State.

The union commended the Defence authorities for their quick response and called on all security agencies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safe rescue of the abducted directors.