Bandits abducted over 25 passengers during a deadly highway attack in Kogi State before Nigerian Army troops rescued 23 victims.
Suspected bandits abducted more than 25 passengers during a deadly overnight attack along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kogi State before troops of the Nigerian Army rescued 23 victims in a swift security operation.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Monday in Ayegunle-Igun community, located in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, when armed gunmen reportedly blocked the highway and targeted commuters travelling through the area.
According to security sources, the attackers intercepted commercial vehicles transporting passengers and forcefully whisked several victims into nearby bushes, creating panic among residents and travellers along the route.
Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army stationed in Kabba were said to have responded immediately after receiving a distress call around 3:30 a.m.
Although the gunmen had fled before the arrival of security operatives, soldiers quickly launched a coordinated pursuit operation along suspected escape routes.
During a search of the area, security personnel recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned by the roadside following the attack.
Military authorities confirmed that two persons lost their lives during the incident, while five others sustained injuries.
The injured victims were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
The Nigerian Army disclosed that sustained pressure mounted on the fleeing kidnappers forced them to abandon 23 abducted passengers, who were later rescued unharmed by troops during ongoing rescue operations.
Security agencies said efforts are continuing to locate and rescue any remaining victims believed to still be in captivity.
Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Kankarofi, spoke during the passing-out parade of 565 newly trained police constables at the State Command Headquarters in Lokoja.
The police commissioner explained that preliminary reports initially indicated lower casualty figures, but subsequent investigations and tracking operations revealed that more passengers had been abducted during the highway attack.
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Kankarofi assured residents that the Police, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, have commenced a coordinated manhunt aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Authorities believe that many of the kidnapped victims were passengers travelling in commercial vehicles when the bandits struck along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road.
Residents of the area described the incident as one of the most frightening security attacks witnessed in recent months, raising fresh concerns over the growing insecurity affecting commuters on major roads across parts of the country.
The latest Kogi kidnapping incident has also renewed calls for stronger security presence along vulnerable highways frequently targeted by armed criminal groups.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property, the Nigerian Army stated that troops would continue aggressive operations across vulnerable communities in Kogi State while maintaining pressure on criminal elements operating within the region.
The military further emphasized its determination to work closely with other security agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen intelligence gathering and deny kidnappers freedom of operation.
Security authorities also appealed to members of the public to provide timely and credible information that could assist ongoing operations and help prevent future attacks.
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