The Kogi State Police Command has disclosed that it successfully rescued sixteen victims abducted yesterday along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area of kogi state following intense gun battles with the kidnappers
The commissioner of Police CP Naziru Kankarofi made the disclosure on Monday at press briefing held at the command headquarters in Lokoja.
He said the incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, 9 August 2026, between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, an alleged identified kidnapping flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili portion of the highway, when a Peace Mass Transit bus was intercepted and its occupants abducted.
The CP stated that immediately the incident occurred, he ordered for the immediate mobilization of tactical and intelligence assets to locate the abductors and secure the safe rescue of the victims.
“The operation, which was a joint effort involving the Police, military personnel of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, DSS, NSCDC, local Vigilante and auxiliary forces, led to a fierce gun battle with the abductors, during which several of the criminals were neutralized with others fleeing.
He said unfortunately one of the local Vigilante personnel supporting the Police operation was killed in the encounter, while one Police officer sustained gunshot injuries”
He added that despite the heavy resistance encountered, the operatives successfully closed in on the abductors and rescued all sixteen 16 victims directly from their custody, including 2 FRSC personnel.
The rescued victims comprises twelve adults and three children who were found to be safe and unharmed and are currently being moved out of the operational area to safety.
According to him, serious efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors, as the Command continues to sustain tactical and intelligence-driven operations within the area to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. CP noted that in addition to this operation, three other coordinated security operations are currently ongoing at different locations across the State, as the Command continues its sustained efforts to disrupt criminal activities and protect residents.
Meanwhile , Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely, credible information to support ongoing operations against criminal elements, adding that the Police remains committed to the safety and security of residents, the protection of lives and property, and the sustained disruption of criminal activities across the State
Speaking to Independent, one of the abductees, Mrs Somadina Nzekwu and her two children described the experience as horrible as she will not wish for even an enemies.
She said they boarded the Peace Mass Transit PMT bus from Abuja to Onitsha in Anambra State and the journey was smooth until they got to Ojiwo Ajenigo where some persons emerged from the bush and started shooting sporadically into the air.
She said the driver wanted to manoeuvre but the intensity of the gun shots made him to stop before they were marched into the thick forest.
She added that although, the abductors demanded #70m from her and her children, the timely arrival of the security forces forced them to flee.
