Police rescue 15 kidnap victims, kill abductors in Kogi

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The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 15 victims abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in the Ofu Local Government Area of the state following a fierce gun battle with their abductors.

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The victims were rescued after a joint operation involving the police, military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and other auxiliary security personnel.

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The Commissioner of Police, Kankarofi Bello, disclosed this on Monday at a press conference held at the command headquarters in Lokoja.

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Bello said the incident occurred at about 4pm on Sunday, between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, an identified kidnapping flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili portion of the highway.

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According to him, a Peace Mass Transit bus was intercepted by the kidnappers, who abducted its occupants.

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He said he immediately ordered the mobilisation of tactical and intelligence assets to locate the abductors and secure the safe rescue of the victims.

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The CP said the operation subsequently led to a fierce gun battle between the security forces and the kidnappers, resulting in the death of several of the abductors, while others fled the scene.

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He, however, disclosed that a local vigilante operative supporting the operation was killed, while a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.

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Bello said the security operatives eventually closed in on the abductors and rescued all 15 victims directly from their custody.

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

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According to him, all the victims were found safe and unharmed and were being moved out of the operational area to safety.

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The rescued victims were identified as CRC I. Ibe, SRC Ik. Ukandu, 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.

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The commissioner said further details of the incident would be made available after the safe return of the rescued victims and the completion of ongoing operational procedures.

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He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors, while the command continued to sustain tactical and intelligence-driven operations in the area.

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Bello further disclosed that three other coordinated security operations were ongoing at different locations across the state as part of efforts to disrupt criminal activities and protect residents.

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He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against criminal elements.

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“The Kogi State Police Command remains firmly committed to the safety and security of residents, the protection of lives and property, and the sustained disruption of criminal activities across the state,” he added.

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