By Isaac Mission

The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 15 people who were abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area after security operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle.

The victims were freed during a coordinated operation involving the police, military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and other security personnel.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Kankarofi Bello, disclosed the development on Monday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Lokoja.

According to him, the kidnapping occurred around 4pm on Sunday along the Ojuwo Ajengo–Mamerebo axis, an area identified as a kidnapping hotspot on the Itobe–Achigili section of the highway.

Bello explained that the criminals intercepted a Peace Mass Transit bus and took its occupants hostage.

Following the incident, he said tactical and intelligence teams were immediately deployed to track the kidnappers and rescue the victims.

The operation eventually resulted in an intense exchange of gunfire between the security forces and the abductors. Several of the kidnappers were reportedly killed, while others escaped into the surrounding area.

The police commissioner, however, confirmed that a vigilante operative assisting the security forces lost his life during the confrontation. A police officer also sustained gunshot wounds.

Security personnel later located the kidnappers’ hideout and successfully recovered all 15 victims from their custody.

The rescued persons comprised 12 adults and three children, including two officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The victims were reportedly found in good condition and were being transported out of the area to a secure location.

Bello said security agencies had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing members of the kidnapping gang.

He further disclosed that three other joint security operations were underway at different locations in Kogi State as part of efforts to prevent criminal activities and improve the safety of residents.

The commissioner urged residents to remain alert and promptly share credible information with security agencies that could assist ongoing operations.

He assured the people of Kogi that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led and tactical operations aimed at protecting lives and property and disrupting criminal networks across the state.