Kogi State Police Command has rescued 15 persons abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area of the state following a fierce gun battle with suspected kidnappers.
The victims were rescued after a Peace Mass Transit bus was reportedly intercepted by the kidnappers at about 4:00 pm on Sunday, August 9, 2026, between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, a known kidnapping flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili axis.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja.
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According to her, following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to locate the abductors and rescue the victims.
She said 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.
The security operatives subsequently engaged the abductors in a fierce gun battle, leading to the neutralisation of several of the criminals, while others reportedly fled into the surrounding forest.
However, the operation recorded casualties on the side of the security team, as one local vigilante assisting the operation was killed, while a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.
Despite the resistance, the operatives successfully closed in on the kidnappers and rescued all 15 victims from their custody.
The victims comprised 12 adults and three children, including two personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). They were reportedly found safe and unharmed and were being moved to a secure location.
The rescued victims 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 suspects, while tactical and intelligence-driven operations continued in the area.
It added that three other coordinated security operations were also ongoing at different locations across the state as part of efforts to disrupt criminal activities and protect residents.
The Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking down criminal elements.
It assured residents of its continued commitment to protecting lives and property and sustaining operations against kidnappers and other criminal groups across the state.