By Kingsley Omonobi
ABUJA — The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes, has rescued 13 kidnapped victims in Kogi State and arrested six suspected drug peddlers in Rivers State.
The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the 13 victims were rescued along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State on August 10, following a reported kidnapping incident.
According to him, the operation involved a coordinated search and rescue effort by personnel of the Navy, Army, Police and local vigilantes.
“The victims were subsequently placed under the care of relevant security authorities for screening and necessary assistance,” he said.
Folorunsho said the joint team encountered resistance from suspected kidnappers during the operation.
He disclosed that one vigilante personnel was killed, while a police officer sustained a gunshot injury and was evacuated for medical attention.
He added that security operations had been intensified in the area as efforts continued to locate and arrest the fleeing suspects.
In Rivers State, the Navy said personnel of Forward Operating Base Bonny, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bonny Area Command, arrested six suspected drug peddlers during an intelligence-driven operation at Amahausa, Bonny Local Government Area.
The operation also led to the recovery of various illicit substances, including 250 tablets of Exol 5, 117 wraps of Cannabis Sativa, 50 wraps of methamphetamine, 70 wraps of heroin, eight capsules of 100mg Tramadol, three packs of Cannabis Sativa and a methamphetamine pipe.
The Navy said the operations demonstrated the impact of intelligence-led action, rapid response and inter-agency cooperation in tackling criminal activities.
It added that the operations were part of efforts to deny criminal elements freedom of action, protect lives and support broader national efforts to strengthen security across communities and Nigeria’s maritime environment.
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