The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 15 kidnapped victims after a fierce gun battle with suspected abductors along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, 9th August 2026, between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, an identified kidnapping flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili portion of the highway, where a Peace Mass Transit bus was intercepted and its passengers abducted.
A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Sliu Oyoza Afusat, says the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, immediately ordered the mobilisation of tactical and intelligence assets to locate the abductors and rescue the victims.
The operation, which involved the police, military personnel of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, DSS, NSCDC, local vigilante and auxiliary forces, resulted in a fierce gun battle, during which several of the abductors were neutralised, while others fled the scene.
One local vigilante personnel supporting the operation was, however, killed in the encounter, while a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.
Despite the resistance, the security operatives successfully closed in on the abductors and rescued all 15 victims, including two FRSC personnel.
The rescued victims comprise 12 adults and three children. They were found safe and unharmed and are currently being moved out of the operational area to safety.
The police command says further details will be made available after the safe return of the rescued victims and the completion of ongoing operational procedures.