Police Rescue 15 Kidnap Victims, Neutralise Abductors In Kogi

The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 15 victims abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area after a fierce gun battle with their abductors.

The victims, including two personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), were rescued on Sunday after a Peace Mass Transit bus was intercepted by suspected kidnappers at about 4pm between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, along the Itobe–Achigili axis of the highway.

Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to locate the kidnappers and rescue the victims.

The operation, involving personnel of the police, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes and other auxiliary forces, resulted in a fierce exchange of gunfire with the kidnappers.

The police said several of the abductors were neutralised while others fled into the surrounding bush.

However, a local vigilante operative was killed during the encounter, while a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.

Despite the resistance, the security operatives successfully closed in on the kidnappers’ hideout and rescued all 15 victims from captivity.

The rescued victims comprised 12 adults and three children. The police said they were found safe and unharmed and were being evacuated from the operational area for medical examination.

The victims are CRC I. Ibe, SRC Ik. Ukandu, Josephbah, Joshua Daniel, Joy Ogbu, Chigocife Ogbu, Charity Aneebo, Ngozi Stephin, Somaliya Zegu, Chidera Emanuel, Pamela Oraeto, Abakwam Loveth, Chimereze Nekuma, Chibok Nzekwu and Victor Edozi Anyichie.

According to the command, the victims will be reunited with their families after undergoing medical checks to ascertain their health status.

The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors, adding that tactical and intelligence-driven operations had been sustained across the area.

The Command also disclosed that three other coordinated security operations were ongoing at different locations in the state as part of efforts to disrupt criminal activities.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

She reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and sustaining operations against criminal elements across the state.