By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja
LOKOJA — The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 15 victims abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba highway in Ofu Local Government Area of the state following a fierce gun battle with their abductors.
The victims, comprising 12 adults and three children, including two personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, were rescued during a coordinated security operation on Sunday.
The incident occurred at about 4pm on Sunday, August 9, 2026, when a Peace Mass Transit bus was intercepted between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, an identified kidnapping flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili axis of the highway.
The abductors reportedly took the occupants of the bus into the surrounding forest before security operatives mobilised to the area.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to track the abductors and rescue the victims.
The operation involved personnel of the police, 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, local vigilantes and other auxiliary security forces.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the operatives engaged the abductors in a fierce gun battle during the rescue operation.
She said several of the kidnappers were neutralised during the encounter, while others fled into the surrounding forest.
She, however, disclosed that a local vigilante member supporting the operation was killed, while a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.
Despite the resistance, the security operatives reportedly closed in on the abductors and rescued all 15 victims directly from their custody.
The victims, who were found safe and unharmed, were evacuated from the operational area to safety.
Those rescued were identified as CRC I. Ibe and SRC Ik. Ukandu, both FRSC personnel; 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.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors, while tactical and intelligence-driven operations were being sustained in the area.
It added that three other coordinated security operations were ongoing at different locations across the state as part of efforts to disrupt criminal activities and protect residents.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in apprehending criminal elements.
The command assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property and sustaining operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks across the state.
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