Security forces have rescued 15 National Youth Service Corps members and six other abducted persons from kidnappers in Egume Forest, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, disclosed the development during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.
According to him, a coordinated search-and-rescue operation was launched immediately after authorities received reports of the abduction. The operation involved the military, police, Department of State Services personnel, local vigilantes and hunters.
Kankarofi said the local vigilantes and hunters played an important role because of their knowledge of the difficult terrain where the victims were being held.
The victims were reportedly travelling from Bayelsa when they were attacked after entering Kogi State through the Itobe-Ajaokuta Highway. Passengers travelling in another vehicle were also abducted and taken into the bush.
The police commissioner said security forces eventually located the kidnappers’ camp and engaged them in a gun battle at about 4:00 p.m. on Monday. The security team overpowered the kidnappers and rescued all the corps members.
Four suspected kidnappers were killed during the encounter, while several others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
Two of the rescued victims, including one corps member and one civilian, sustained gunshot injuries to their right legs during the operation.
Kankarofi said security personnel remained in the area to search for the fleeing suspects. He added that the Kogi Command had contacted security authorities in neighbouring Enugu State to block possible escape routes.
The commissioner urged residents and travellers to remain calm, insisting that Kogi State remains generally peaceful despite the incident. He also assured travellers that security personnel are actively monitoring the state’s major routes.
