Panic has spread through the Federal Civil Service after six Directors from the Ministry of Defence were kidnapped by gunmen along the Kabba to Lokoja highway in Kogi State.

The incident happened on Monday, November 10, 2025, when the senior officials were on their way from Lagos to Abuja for a Directorate-level promotion exam.

Reports said the attackers laid an ambush and stopped their vehicle before taking them away.

The kidnapping has caused serious concern within the Defence Ministry and among members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), who described it as shocking and unacceptable.

In a statement, ASCSN President, Shehu Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, condemned the act and said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.

Those abducted were 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 of whom are staff of Command Day Secondary School, Ojo, Lagos.

The union revealed that the Defence Ministry has already mobilized security operatives to begin search and rescue operations.

ASCSN also criticized the practice of forcing civil servants to travel long distances to Abuja for exams, saying poor road conditions and insecurity put lives at risk.

The union urged the Federal Civil Service Commission to decentralize all promotion and verification exercises.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry has deployed special security teams to comb the forests and suspected hideouts in Kogi State in search of the kidnapped officers.

The union commended the Defence authorities for their quick action and called on all security agencies to do everything possible to bring the victims back safely.