Troops Rescue 16 Kidnap Victims, Including 4 Children, in Kogi

By Zagazola Makama

Security forces have rescued 16 kidnapped victims, including four children, following an operation against suspected bandits in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The victims were kidnapped on Aug. 9 when suspected bandits attacked commuters along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area.

According Intelligence sources, information received at about 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 10 indicated that the victims had been sighted around Adumu community in Dekina.

Following the intelligence, troops of 21 Battalion and personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police, local vigilantes and Hybrid Forces, launched a search-and-rescue operation in the area.

The security forces eventually made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing the criminals to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding area.

The encounter, however, resulted in the death of one member of the Hybrid Forces, while a police personnel sustained injuries.

The rescued victims comprised six males, six females and four children.

The victims have been taken into the custody of the Nigeria Police, Ajaokuta Division, for further action, while security forces continue efforts to track down the fleeing kidnappers.