The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 15 passengers abducted along the Itobe-Anyigba highway in Ofu Local Government Area after a gun duel with their abductors.
The victims were abducted at about 4pm on Sunday, August 9, 2026, when gunmen intercepted a Peace Mass Transit bus between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, a known kidnapping flashpoint on the Itobe-Achigili axis of the highway.
The state Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, immediately deployed tactical and intelligence operatives to track the abductors and rescue the victims.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the command explained that the operation was carried out jointly by the police, troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and other security forces.
According to her, the operatives engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle during which several of the hoodlums were neutralised, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
She said one vigilante operative was killed during the encounter, while a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.
“Despite the heavy resistance, operatives successfully closed in on the abductors and rescued all 15 victims from their custody. They include two personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, 12 adults and three children.
“They were found safe and unharmed and are currently being moved out of the operational area to safety,” the statement added.
The rescued victims are:
1. CRC I. Ibe – FRSC 2. SRC Ik. Ukandu – FRSC 3. Josephbah 4. Joshua Daniel 5. Joy Ogbu 6. Chigocife Ogbu 7. Charity Aneebo 8. Ngozi Stephin 9. Somaliya Zegu 10. Chidera Emanuel 11. Pamela Oraeto 12. Abakwam Loveth 13. Chimereze Nekuma 14. Chibok Nzekwu 15. Victor Edozi Anyichie.
Afusat said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects, adding that three other coordinated security operations are currently ongoing in different parts of the state.
She urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to support ongoing operations.
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