Dare Babalola
Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have rescued 23 kidnapped passengers following an attack by suspected bandits along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The rescue operation was disclosed in an operational report made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday.
According to the report, the attack occurred in the early hours of Monday when armed assailants blocked the Ayegunle–Bunu Road and abducted an unspecified number of travellers.
Troops stationed in Kabba were said to have responded immediately after receiving a distress call. However, the attackers had already fled the scene before the soldiers arrived.
Upon reaching the location, the troops discovered two dead bodies, five injured victims, and three abandoned vehicles comprising two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck.
The report stated that the troops promptly launched a pursuit operation along the routes used by the kidnappers to escape.
“The troops immediately launched pursuit operations along the kidnappers’ withdrawal routes, leading to the rescue of 23 passengers who had been abandoned due to the sustained pressure,” the report said.
The rescued victims were recovered as security forces intensified efforts to track down the fleeing criminals.
The five injured victims were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, where they are receiving medical treatment.
Military authorities said operations are ongoing to apprehend the attackers and secure the release of any remaining victims still in captivity.
