Sixteen kidnapping victims, including four children, have been rescued in Kogi State following a joint security operation that forced their abductors to flee into the surrounding forest.
The victims were abducted on Sunday, August 9, 2026, when suspected kidnappers attacked commuters along the Ojuwo–Ajengo–Memarebo and Ojiwo–Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area.
Acting on intelligence that the captives had been moved towards Adumu community in neighbouring Dekina Local Government Area, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 21 Battalion mobilised alongside personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard, the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes and hunters to track the fleeing criminals.
The operation culminated in a gun battle between the security team and the kidnappers. The sustained pressure from the joint force reportedly forced the attackers to abandon their captives and escape into the forest, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
All 16 victims were recovered alive. They comprised six adult men, six adult women and four children.
Following their rescue, the victims were taken into the care of the security authorities for documentation and medical checks before their expected reunion with their families.
The operation, however, came at a cost. A local hunter who participated in the rescue effort was killed during the confrontation, while a police officer sustained injuries and was receiving medical treatment.
The successful operation underscores the growing importance of coordinated action among the military, police, navy and community-based security groups in responding to kidnapping incidents, particularly in remote areas where criminal gangs exploit forests and difficult terrain as hideouts.
The authorities have continued to urge residents and travellers to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies, as efforts continue to track down the fleeing kidnappers.
