Troops rescue 16 kidnapped victims in Kogi

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Troops have rescued 16 kidnapped persons after engaging suspected bandits in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi.

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The victims comprised six males, six females and four children, according to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

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The report said the victims were abducted on Saturday, Aug. 9 along Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

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It said the operation followed intelligence that the victims were sighted around Adumu community in Dekina.

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According to the report, the search-and-rescue operation involves troops of 21 Battalion and Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, the police, vigilantes and Hybrid Forces.

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“The security forces eventually made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them, forcing the criminals to abandon their victims and flee.

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“However, one member of the Hybrid Forces was killed during the encounter, while one police personnel sustained injuries.

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“The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the police in Ajaokuta for further action,” it said.

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The military said the operation highlights the continued collaboration among the military, police and local security groups in tackling kidnapping and rescuing victims in Kogi.

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(NAN)

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