LOKOJA – Nine kidnaped commuters, including an infant and four adult men, have been freed by the Nigerian Army after forces gave a hot chase to suspected kidnappers who attacked motorists on the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Troops deployed at Patrol Base Itobe got a report of distress and immediately mobilised to the scene to carry out the rescue.
The soldiers spotted two abandoned vehicles on the wayside, a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna on arrival, with the passengers nowhere to be located.
The finding sparked a chase as troops followed the route the kidnappers purportedly took to get off the highway with their prisoners.
The chase took the troops to the outskirts of Adumu Community, Dekina Local Government Area where they made contact with the accused kidnappers.
Then a gun war ensued between the troops and the criminals.
The Army reported forces of the Army subdued the kidnappers with superior fire power and they dumped the victims and ran into the surrounding jungle.
Some of the fleeing offenders were believed to have been shot during the confrontation.
The operation rescued nine people, including two elderly men, two elderly ladies, four other adult males and one newborn.
The commuters who were rescued were promptly evacuated from the area and moved to safety.
They were turned up to the Nigeria Police, Itobe Area Command for further necessary action and reuniting with their families.
“Despite the success of the rescue, troops have continued with coordinated search operations in the surrounding area for any remaining victims and the apprehension of the fleeing kidnappers,” he added.
The operation underscores the Army’s quick responsiveness to accidents along important transit routes, especially when criminal groups utilise the surrounding wild terrain to kidnap passengers.
The Nigerian Army says it is committed to defending lives and property in partnership with other security organisations.
It appealed to motorists, commuters and residents along the road to remain watchful and assist security agents with timely and credible information on suspicious movements and illegal activity.
The Army said such intelligence would improve speedy response, ease the rescue of victims and help security personnel in identifying and apprehending criminal groups.
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