In a chilling display of coordinated violence, six senior officials from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Defence were abducted yesterday in an audacious ambush along the bustling Kaba–Lokoja highway. The incident, which took place on Monday, November 10, 2025, has sent shockwaves through government corridors and civil service circles, highlighting the growing security menace facing public servants on official journeys.

The victims, all directors within the ministry, were reportedly traveling from Lagos to Abuja to sit for a critical Directorate-level promotion examination. Their journey, however, turned into a nightmare when unidentified gunmen, believed to be well-organized and heavily armed, intercepted their convoy in an attack described by eyewitnesses as “precise and synchronised.” The assailants struck in a manner reminiscent of high-profile kidnappings, suddenly halting the vehicles and unleashing terror on the occupants.

Sources close to the incident indicate that the attack was meticulously planned, with the gunmen using the cover of dense roadside vegetation before swarming the convoy. The victims—Mrs. Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs. C.A. Emeribe, Mrs. C. Helen Ezeakor, Mrs. C.A. Ladoye, Mrs. J.A. Onwuzurike, and Mrs. Catherine O. Essien—are all members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN). They were reportedly on their way to Abuja for a routine but vital official assessment when they fell into the hands of the kidnappers.

The abduction has ignited a wave of concern across Nigeria's civil service community and prompted urgent government action. The Defence Ministry has disclosed that security agencies have been mobilized and are actively working to secure the release of the victims. However, details of negotiations or rescue efforts remain closely guarded, fueling anxiety among family members and colleagues.

The President of the ASCSN, Shehu Mohammed, alongside Secretary-General Joshua Apebo, issued a strong condemnation of the attack. In a statement, they expressed grave concern over the safety of public servants and called for immediate measures to safeguard traveling personnel. "We have always advised that promotion examinations and official activities should be decentralized and conducted within states, especially given the deteriorating security situation on Nigerian roads," the statement read. “The current state of insecurity and road conditions pose serious risks to public officials, and continued neglect could lead to more tragedies.”

This incident is not isolated. Earlier on the day, a commercial bus was attacked along the Kogi State section of the Kabba-Okene highway, where multiple passengers were abducted in a different but equally frightening assault. Witnesses said the assailants fired shots at the vehicle, and when the bullets failed to penetrate the metal, they resorted to machetes. One survivor recounted, “They fired at the bus, but when the bullets didn’t go through, the Fulanis came with their machetes and dragged us out.”

Security analysts warn that the spate of abductions on Nigerian roads continues to escalate, threatening the safety of civilians and government officials alike. Experts advocate for a comprehensive overhaul of security strategies, including better patrols, intelligence sharing, and regional coordination, to stem the tide of violent crimes that are increasingly targeting high-value and vulnerable travelers.

As the nation watches anxiously, questions abound about how to improve safety on Nigeria’s often perilous roads. What measures, in your opinion, could most effectively secure travelers and prevent future tragedies? Share your thoughts in the comments.