Kogi: Troops have rescued 16 kidnapped persons after engaging suspected bandits in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi. The victims comprised six males, six females, and four children, according to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the report stated that the victims were abducted on Saturday, August 9, along Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area of the state. The operation was initiated after receiving intelligence that the victims were sighted around the Adumu community in Dekina.
The search-and-rescue operation involved troops of the 21 Battalion and Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, the police, vigilantes, and Hybrid Forces. The security forces eventually made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them, compelling the criminals to abandon their victims and flee.
However, the encounter resulted in the death of one member of the Hybrid Forces, while a police personnel sustained injuries. The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the police in Ajaokuta for further action.
The military emphasized that the operation underscores the ongoing collaboration among the military, police, and local security groups in addressing kidnapping incidents and rescuing victims in Kogi.