Security operatives have rescued 21 people, including 15 National Youth Service Corps members, from a kidnappers’ hideout in Kogi State following a coordinated operation in Ofu Local Government Area.
The victims were held in Egume Forest after gunmen intercepted their vehicles along the Itobe-Ajaokuta road, according to the Kogi State Police Command.
The state Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, disclosed details of the rescue during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.
He said the security response began shortly after authorities received information about the abduction. Personnel from the police, military and Department of State Services were deployed, with hunters and local vigilantes also brought into the operation because of their knowledge of the area.
“As soon as we were alerted, we put all necessary measures in place to ensure they were rescued and returned to their families. An emergency meeting was convened by all the service commanders: the Brigade Commander, the Commissioner of Police, and the Director of DSS,” Kankarofi said.
The commissioner said the search team gradually identified the area where the abductors were keeping their victims and moved closer with assistance from people familiar with the forest.
“We fashioned out a search-and-rescue operation, which commenced immediately. As the situation unfolded, we narrowed down to a particular spot and sought the support of local vigilantes and hunters who know the terrain very well.”
According to Kankarofi, the operation reached a critical stage on Monday when security personnel located the kidnappers’ camp and engaged them in a prolonged exchange of gunfire.
“The operation commenced in earnest on Sunday. To God be the glory, around 4:00 p.m. yesterday, we arrived at the camp of the kidnappers. There was a serious gun battle; they were eventually overpowered, and all the corps members were rescued.”
Two of the victims were injured in the confrontation, the commissioner said. The injured persons were a corps member and a civilian who had been taken from another vehicle.
“Unfortunately, two people suffered gunshot injuries to their right legs: one corps member and one civilian who was abducted from the second vehicle.”
Kankarofi explained that the corps members were travelling from Bayelsa when their journey was disrupted after they entered Kogi State.
“When they entered Kogi along the Itobe–Ajaokuta Highway around 5:00 p.m., they were attacked and abducted into the bush alongside passengers from another vehicle coming from the opposite direction.”
Four suspects were reportedly killed during the confrontation, while other members of the gang escaped, some of them believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
“Four of the kidnappers were killed during the exchange of fire, and several escaped with bullet wounds. A search-and-rescue operation has been going on since yesterday to mop up the area and arrest the fleeing suspects.”
Security personnel have continued combing the area for the fleeing suspects, according to the police chief.
“As I am talking to you now, all our officers—military, police, DSS operatives, and hunters—are still at the operational theatre, and we are awaiting outcomes.”
The Kogi Police Command has also sought cooperation from security authorities in neighbouring Enugu State to prevent the fleeing suspects from using routes leading into the state.
“This morning, I also linked up with the neighbouring command in Enugu State because that area leads into Enugu, and arrangements have been made to ensure their forces block their end of the region.”
The victims’ rescue was earlier confirmed by the military, with the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, saying the operation involved different security agencies.
Kankarofi appealed for calm, describing the incident as an isolated security challenge rather than a reflection of the general situation in the state.
“These are just isolated cases.”
He maintained that security agencies remained active across Kogi and were responding to reported threats.
“Kogi State has been generally peaceful and calm. The security forces here are very effective and respond promptly; that’s why when such situations happen, you get to know about them.”
The commissioner also assured residents and motorists that travelling through the state remained safe.
“But generally, the state is calm. You can feel free to travel through Kogi State with nothing to worry about.”
