Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 23 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on Monday when armed men suspected to be bandits barricaded the road and attacked commuters travelling along the route.

According to the sources, the assailants abducted an unspecified number of passengers before troops of the 12 Brigade deployed in Kabba responded to a distress call and mobilised to the scene.

By the time the troops arrived, the kidnappers had fled the area. However, soldiers discovered two dead bodies and five injured victims at the scene. They also recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned by the roadside.

The troops immediately launched a pursuit operation along the suspected escape routes of the kidnappers. The operation led to the rescue of 23 abducted passengers who were reportedly abandoned by their captors due to the pressure mounted by the advancing soldiers.

The rescued victims were evacuated to safety, while the injured were taken to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, for treatment.

Military sources said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing kidnappers and secure the release of any remaining victims who may still be in captivity.

The sources added that troops had intensified surveillance and clearance operations across the area to prevent further attacks and enhance the safety of road users.

The Ayegunle–Bunu axis has witnessed sporadic incidents of kidnapping and banditry in recent times, prompting increased security operations by the military and other security agencies.