Army Confirms Rescue of 21 Kidnapped Passengers in Kogi

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the successful rescue of 21 passengers who were abducted along the Obajana-Oshokoshoko road in the Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Suspected bandits blocked the Osokoko–Obajana highway around 2:30 PM on the day of the attack, seizing passengers from several vehicles, including an 18-seater bus, and forcefully marching them into the bush.

The rescue operation was confirmed by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lokoja, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, on Saturday.

Lt. Abdullahi stated that the 21 passengers were rescued after troops of the brigade, in collaboration with vigilantes, hunters, and other security operatives, engaged the kidnappers in a fierce exchange of gunfire.

He added that operations are currently ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators. Eyewitness reports indicated that multiple vehicles were ambushed, including commercial buses traveling between Ondo, Abuja, Oshogbo, and Ekiti State.

One victim’s brother revealed the kidnappers had demanded a ₦40 million ransom for his release before the rescue operation.

In response to the escalating attacks, Kogi State Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo held an emergency meeting with security agencies and traditional rulers, where he vowed to adopt an aggressive, proactive stance against the criminals.

The Governor confirmed that intelligence reports indicate some top bandit leaders have recently relocated to the state.

He announced a no-negotiation policy “We will not wait for them to fight us; we will take the fight to them. We are not going to bow to the criminals, we are not going to negotiate with them, we are not going to pay ransom…”

He assured that security agencies have tracked key commanders and that decisive action will be taken to dismantle their hideouts.