Police rescue 15 kidnap victims, including two FRSC officers, in Kogi Gun battle

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 rescued victims comprised 12 adults and three children, including two personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The victims were rescued during a coordinated security operation on Sunday, August 9, 2026, after a Peace Mass Transit bus was intercepted by suspected kidnappers along the highway.

The incident occurred at about 4pm between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, an identified kidnapping flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili axis.

The abductors reportedly forced the occupants of the bus into the surrounding forest before security agencies launched an operation to track them and rescue the victims.

Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to the area.

Personnel from the police, 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and other auxiliary security forces participated in the operation.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the security operatives engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle during the rescue operation.

She said several of the abductors were neutralised during the encounter, while others fled into the surrounding forest.

However, a local vigilante member supporting the operation was killed, while a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.

Despite the resistance, the security forces reportedly advanced into the kidnappers’ hideout and rescued all 15 victims from their custody.

The victims were found safe and unharmed and were subsequently evacuated from the operational area to safety.

Those rescued 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 said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors, while tactical and intelligence-led operations were being sustained across the area.

The command also disclosed that three other coordinated security operations were underway at different locations in the state as part of efforts to disrupt criminal activities and protect residents.

The police urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking and apprehending criminal elements.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and sustaining operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks across Kogi State.