Security forces have rescued 16 kidnapped victims, including four children, during an operation against suspected bandits in Kogi State.
The victims were abducted on August 9 when suspected bandits attacked commuters along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area.
Intelligence sources told security analyst Zagazola Makama that security forces received information around 11:30 am on August 10 that the victims had been spotted near Adumu community in Dekina Local Government Area.
Acting on the information, troops from the 21 Battalion and personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, alongside the Nigeria Police, local vigilantes and hybrid forces, launched a search-and-rescue operation.
The forces later located the suspected kidnappers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing the attackers to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding area.
One member of the hybrid forces was killed during the exchange, while a police officer sustained injuries.
The rescued victims included six men, six women and four children.
They have since been handed over to the Nigeria Police, Ajaokuta Division, for further action.
Meanwhile, security forces are continuing their efforts to track down the fleeing kidnappers.
