Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully thwarted a kidnapping attempt by armed bandits along a major highway in Kogi State, rescuing 21 passengers in the process.
According to reports from Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorism publication, the joint operation was carried out around 2pm on Thursday by personnel of the Army’s 12 Brigade, Quick Response Units (QRU), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), vigilantes, local hunters, and other security units.
The armed operatives confronted the bandits in a fierce gun duel, leading to the rescue of the abducted passengers. Sadly, a soldier attached to the Oshokoshoko sector and a vigilante from Odoape lost their lives during the exchange of gunfire.
Sources revealed that about 100 heavily armed bandits launched the attack, targeting multiple vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna from Osogbo to Kaduna (YAB 968 AX), a Toyota Hiace bus from Owo, Ondo State to Abuja, another Toyota Hiace heading to Ekiti, a Toyota Carina en route from Lokoja to Kabba, a Dangote truck conveying 900 bags of cement, and a J5 bus transporting pepper from Kano to Lagos.
Those rescued include women, children, and a 9-day-old infant. The list of rescued victims features Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi Ajayi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima Joseph, Nanko Joseph, Enenche Paulina, Bright Enenche, Rachael Enenche, Deborah Enenche (9 days old), Bukola Clement, Toyin Clement, Glory Clement, Faith Clement, Peter Olawale, as well as the drivers of the Dangote truck and the J5 bus.
Security operations are still ongoing to locate any remaining abducted persons and to track down the criminals behind the attack.
Efforts to reach William Ovye Aya, spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, were not successful as of press time.