By Muhammad Adam, Kogi
The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 15 victims abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area of the state after a fierce gun battle with their abductors.
The victims were rescued following the interception of a Peace Mass Transit bus at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2026, between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, an identified kidnapping flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili portion of the highway.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday on behalf of the state command.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, immediately ordered the mobilisation of tactical and intelligence assets to locate the abductors and secure the safe rescue of the victims.
The operation reportedly resulted in an intense gun battle between the security operatives and the abductors, during which several of the criminals were neutralised while others fled the scene.
The Command, however, said one local vigilante personnel supporting the operation was killed during the encounter, while a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.
Despite the resistance, the operatives succeeded in closing in on the abductors and rescuing all 15 victims from their custody, including two personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The rescued victims comprise 12 adults and three children. The Police said they were found safe and unharmed and were being moved out of the operational area to safety.
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The rescued victims were identified as CRC I. Ibe and SRC Ik. Ukandu, both FRSC personnel; Josephbah; Joshua Daniel; Joy Ogbu; Chigocife Ogbu; Charity Aneebo; Ngozi Stephin; Somaliya Zegu; Chidera Emanuel; Pamela Oraeto; Abakwam Loveth; Chimereze Nekuma; Chibok Nzekwu; and Victor Edozi Anyichie.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors, assuring that tactical and intelligence-driven operations would be sustained in the area until the perpetrators were brought to justice.
It added that further details on the incident would be released after the safe return of the rescued victims and the completion of ongoing operational procedures.
The Police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to support security operations against criminal elements.
The Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and disrupting criminal activities across Kogi State.