Tension and fear have gripped the Federal Civil Service following the reported abduction of six Directors from the Federal Ministry of Defence. The top officials were kidnapped on Monday, November 10, 2025, along the Kaba–Lokoja expressway while travelling from Lagos to Abuja for a Directorate-level promotion examination.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack appeared highly organized and targeted, with the gunmen reportedly lying in wait for the convoy. The six Directors, all senior officials and members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), were ambushed and forcibly taken into an unknown location.
The victims have been identified 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 six officials are associated with Command Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Ojo, Lagos, and were en route to participate in a nationwide promotion exercise conducted by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of civil servants, particularly those required to travel long distances for official duties in Nigeria.
In response to the incident, the ASCSN issued an official statement condemning the abduction and calling for urgent reforms to ensure the safety of federal workers. ASCSN President Shehu Mohammed and Secretary-General Joshua Apebo emphasized that the union was actively coordinating with the Ministry of Defence and law enforcement agencies to secure the release of the Directors.
“Our grievance is clear,” the statement said. “The Federal Civil Service Commission should conduct promotion examinations in the states instead of compelling public service employees to travel long distances to Abuja. The current security situation and deplorable road conditions expose workers to grave risks.”
The union stressed that incidents like this highlight the need for decentralization of promotion exercises to avoid endangering employees unnecessarily. “Ignoring persistent safety warnings could result in more devastating incidents,” the statement added.
Members of the ASCSN also participated in a solidarity campaign on social media, calling on the government to improve the security of civil servants who must travel for official functions. The union warned that failure to address the situation could undermine morale across the civil service.
The Federal Ministry of Defence has immediately deployed its internal security teams to work alongside law enforcement agencies in a coordinated search operation. Specialized personnel have been dispatched to comb suspected hideouts in Kogi State and surrounding areas.
While officials have not confirmed the exact location of the abducted Directors, the Ministry assured that every effort is being made to secure their safe release. Brigadier-General sources within the Ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that intelligence reports are being reviewed to track the movements of the kidnappers and prevent harm to the victims.
“This is a highly sensitive matter, and the Ministry is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safe return of our colleagues,” an official said. “We are also reviewing the security protocols for all civil servants travelling for official duties.”
The ASCSN has commended the Defence authorities for their swift action, emphasizing the importance of sustained coordination between federal security agencies and state law enforcement bodies.
The abduction comes amid increasing reports of armed attacks on highways across Nigeria. Travelers on key expressways, particularly in the North-Central region, have frequently reported incidents involving armed gangs, often targeting convoys of government officials, businesspeople, and ordinary commuters.
Kogi State, where the abduction took place, has seen a series of similar attacks over the past few years. The region’s strategic location along the major Lagos–Abuja corridor makes it vulnerable to armed robbery and kidnapping for ransom, according to security analysts.
Civil servants traveling for official duties are often considered high-value targets, partly because kidnappers assume that families or government agencies will pay ransom for their release. These risks have prompted calls from unions and human rights organizations for better security measures and decentralization of nationwide examinations and official assignments.
Following the incident, both the Ministry of Defence and the Federal Civil Service Commission are reportedly reviewing current policies regarding travel for civil service examinations. A senior official from the FCSC, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that the Commission is considering options to conduct future promotion exercises in regional centers to minimize travel risks.
ASCSN leaders also urged federal authorities to provide enhanced security escorts for civil servants traveling for official business. “Our members deserve protection while performing their duties,” ASCSN Secretary-General Joshua Apebo said. “This abduction is a clear warning that the current system is exposing employees to unnecessary dangers.”
The news of the abduction has sparked public concern and debate on social media, with many Nigerians criticizing the government for failing to protect civil servants. Some have called for stricter security measures on highways, while others suggested leveraging technology to conduct examinations online, reducing the need for physical travel.
The incident has renewed calls for a national strategy to address highway security, including enhanced patrols, intelligence gathering, and community-based policing initiatives.
In their statement, ASCSN leaders appealed to the kidnappers to release the abducted Directors unharmed, urging dialogue and patience while security agencies work to resolve the situation.
“We urge those responsible to consider the human cost of this act,” the union said. “The Directors are dedicated public servants, and their families are anxiously awaiting their safe return.”