No arrests made as troops rescue 23 passengers abducted in Kogi highway attack
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 23 passengers who were abducted by suspected bandits along the Ayegunle–Bunu road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In a statement issued on Monday, the army said the operation was launched after security forces received a distress call around 3:30 a.m. reporting an attack on travellers along the highway.
According to the military, the gunmen had blocked the road and kidnapped several passengers before fleeing the scene.
Although the attackers escaped before troops arrived, soldiers immediately began a pursuit operation along the routes believed to have been used by the kidnappers.
During an assessment of the scene, security personnel recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck that had been abandoned by the roadside.
The army said two victims lost their lives during the attack, while five others sustained injuries. The injured victims were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital in Kabba for treatment.
The military added that sustained pressure from the pursuing troops forced the kidnappers to abandon 23 captives, who were later rescued unharmed.
Troops have continued search-and-rescue operations in the area to locate any remaining victims and track down the perpetrators.
Earlier, Kogi State Police Command spokesperson Saliu Oyiza disclosed that the abducted passengers included 26 men and four women. No arrests have been reported in connection with the incident.
