Four persons abducted by suspected bandits in Oke-Ere Community, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, have regained their freedom following a joint rescue operation by local vigilantes and personnel of the Nigerian Army.

A community source disclosed on Sunday that the operation, carried out the same day the victims were kidnapped, led to a fierce gun battle between the security operatives and the abductors.

According to the source, three suspected bandits were killed during the exchange of gunfire, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The operation, however, claimed the life of a local vigilante member, identified as Baba Glo, an indigene of Oke-Ere Community.

The victims were abducted in the early hours of Sunday while travelling to a river known as Liberia within the community. They were identified as Tunde, Stephen and two Hausa residents.

Their abduction prompted a swift response from the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes, who launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation in the area.

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The operation resulted in the successful rescue of all four victims, bringing relief to residents of the community.

Security agencies have since intensified efforts to track down the fleeing members of the criminal gang and restore normalcy to the area.