By John Dike, Osogbo
Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued 23 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The rescue operation was carried out in the early hours of Sunday following an attack by armed bandits who reportedly barricaded the highway and abducted travellers.
According to the Army, troops responded swiftly to a distress call received around 3:30 a.m. and moved to the scene from Kabba metropolis. Although the kidnappers had fled before security personnel arrived, soldiers immediately launched a pursuit operation along the suspects’ escape routes.
During a search of the area, troops recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned by the roadside. Two victims were confirmed dead, while five others sustained injuries and were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, for treatment.
The Army said sustained pressure on the fleeing kidnappers forced them to abandon 23 captives, who were rescued unharmed.
Troops have since intensified search-and-rescue operations in the area to locate any remaining victims and track down the perpetrators.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to combating criminal activities and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing security operations.
