Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued nine kidnapped passengers following a swift response to a kidnap attack along the Ajaokuta–Itobe Road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The operation was launched after troops deployed at Patrol Base Itobe received reports that suspected kidnappers had ambushed commuters and abducted several passengers travelling along the busy route.
This was disclosed in a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s Facebook page on Tuesday night.
It was gathered that during the operation, troops found a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna vehicle abandoned by the roadside, with the passengers nowhere to be found.
A fierce gun battle ensued as the troops confronted the kidnappers. Unable to withstand the soldiers’ superior firepower, the criminals abandoned their captives and fled into the surrounding bush, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
The troops subsequently rescued nine victims comprising two elderly men, two elderly women, four other adult males and an infant.
The rescued commuters were evacuated to safety and later handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Itobe Area Command, for further necessary action and reunification with their families.
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Meanwhile, the Army said troops have sustained the pursuit of the fleeing kidnappers as coordinated search operations continue in the area.
The ongoing operation is also aimed at locating and rescuing any other victims who may still be in captivity and apprehending members of the criminal gang responsible for the attack.
The successful rescue comes amid intensified security operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes along major transportation routes in Kogi State.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to working with other security agencies to protect lives and property and deny criminal elements freedom of action.
It also urged residents and commuters to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information that could assist security forces in responding quickly to criminal activities and tracking fleeing suspects.
