The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 15 victims abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area of the state after security operatives engaged their abductors in a fierce gun battle.

The victims, comprising 12 adults and three children, were rescued from the kidnappers’ custody following a coordinated operation involving the police, military, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes and other auxiliary security personnel.

The incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2026, when suspected kidnappers intercepted a Peace Mass Transit bus between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, along the Itobe–Achigili axis of the highway, an area identified by security agencies as a kidnapping hotspot.

The Kogi State Police Command, in a statement issued on Monday, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, immediately ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence assets following the incident.

The security forces subsequently launched an operation to track the abductors and rescue the victims.

The operation reportedly culminated in a fierce exchange of gunfire between the security personnel and the kidnappers.

According to the Command, several of the abductors were neutralised during the encounter, while others escaped into the surrounding area.

However, a local vigilante operative attached to the operation was killed, while a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.

Despite the resistance, the security operatives succeeded in closing in on the abductors and rescuing all 15 victims directly from their custody.

The rescued victims included two personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The Command said they were found safe and unharmed and were being evacuated from the operational area to a secure location.

The 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 Police Command said further details would be made public after the safe return of the rescued victims and the completion of ongoing operational procedures.

It also disclosed that efforts were underway to track and apprehend the fleeing abductors, assuring that tactical and intelligence-driven operations would be sustained in the area.

The Command said three other coordinated security operations were simultaneously ongoing at different locations across Kogi State as part of measures to disrupt criminal activities and protect residents.

It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information capable of assisting ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks in the state.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that those responsible for criminal activities are brought to justice.

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