Army rescues nine kidnapped commuters in Kogi

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued nine commuters abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road in Kogi State.

The rescue followed an encounter between the troops and the suspected kidnappers on Tuesday in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

An operational report made available to pressmen stated the attackers had intercepted commuters and abducted an unspecified number of passengers.

According to the report, troops of 21 Battalion deployed at Patrol Base Itobe were mobilised to the scene after the attack.

The troops found an abandoned Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna vehicle before tracking the suspected kidnappers through their withdrawal route.

They later made contact with the criminals around Adumu community in Dekina Local Government Area and engaged them in a gun battle.

The pressure from the troops reportedly forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding area.

Nine victims were subsequently rescued, comprising two elderly men, two elderly women, four men and an infant.

The victims were handed over to the Police Area Command in Itobe for further action.

The report said troops were continuing operations to rescue other victims who might still be in the kidnappers’ custody.