Lokoja, June 2, 2026 – Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have successfully rescued 23 passengers abducted during a swift counter-kidnapping operation carried out in the early hours of Sunday along a highway in Kogi State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi.
According to the statement, the soldiers disrupted a mass kidnapping attempt along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, where armed attackers had blocked the highway and taken several passengers hostage.
The Army reported that two victims lost their lives during the incident, while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
It explained that the assailants had fled the scene before the arrival of troops who responded swiftly after receiving a distress call at about 3:30 a.m.
On reaching the location, the troops immediately launched a pursuit of the fleeing suspects through possible escape routes.
During a search of the area, security personnel recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned by the roadside.
The injured victims were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital in Kabba, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
The statement further noted that sustained military pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon 23 of their captives, who were later rescued safely and reunited.
It added that troops have continued to dominate the area, carrying out ongoing search-and-rescue operations aimed at locating any remaining abducted persons.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to denying criminal groups freedom of action and pledged continued collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders to enhance safety in Kogi State and across the country.
Residents were also urged to support security efforts by providing timely and credible information to assist in preventing future attacks.