Tension has engulfed 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 incident, which occurred on Monday, November 10, 2025, reportedly took place as the senior officials were travelling from Lagos to Abuja for a Directorate-level promotion examination.
According to sources, their convoy was ambushed in what appeared to be a carefully planned attack. The development has caused widespread concern within the Defence Ministry and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), raising renewed fears over the safety of government workers travelling for official duties.
In a statement, ASCSN President Shehu Mohammed and Secretary-General Joshua Apebo condemned the abduction and assured members that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe release of the victims. The statement identified the kidnapped officials as 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 staff members of Command Day Secondary School (CDSS), Ojo, Lagos. It further noted that the Ministry of Defence had already mobilized security operatives to rescue the abducted Directors.
“We have consistently advised the Federal Civil Service Commission to conduct promotion examinations within states, instead of requiring officers to travel long distances to Abuja,” the statement read. “Given the current security challenges and poor road conditions, such movements put workers’ lives at serious risk.” The union urged the government to decentralize promotion and verification exercises moving forward, warning that failure to do so could result in more tragic incidents.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has reportedly stepped up efforts to track down the kidnappers, deploying specialized security units to comb suspected hideouts across Kogi State. The ASCSN praised the Defence authorities for their prompt response and called on security agencies to intensify the search to ensure the safe return of the abducted officials.
