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As Troops Rescue 23 Victims
- Safiu Kehinde
At least two people have been confirmed dead with five others injured during a foiled mass abduction attempt by suspected bandits in Kogi State.
The bandits were reported to have attacked commercial vehicles along the Ayegunle-Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.
Swifit counter-kidnapping operation by the troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army however foiled the kidnap attempt by the insurgents.
This is contained in a statement by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, on Monday in Lokoja.
While the troops rescued 23 kidnapped passengers during the operation, Hassan said two victims were confirmed dead while five others sustained injuries during the attack.
According to the army spokesperson, the suspected bandits barricaded the highway and abducted several passengers traveling through the area.
Acting on a distress call received at about 3:30 am, troops deployed within Kabba metropolis immediately moved to the scene.
“Although the kidnappers had fled before the troops’ arrival, the soldiers launched an aggressive pursuit along the criminals’ suspected withdrawal routes.
“During assessment of the attack scene, troops recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned by the roadside.
“Two victims were confirmed dead, while five others with injuries were promptly evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, where they are receiving treatment,” the army said.
Hassan said the relentless pressure from pursuing troops forced the kidnappers to abandon 23 of their captives, who were rescued unharmed and secured.
He maintained that the troops were currently dominating the general area and conducting intensive search-and-rescue operations to locate and recover any remaining victims still in captivity.
The army reaffirmed its resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action and pledged to continue working with other security agencies and local stakeholders to strengthen security across Kogi State and Nigeria.
The army urged the public to support ongoing security efforts by providing timely and credible information to relevant security agencies to help prevent future attacks.