Relief as police rescue 11 kidnap victims on Kogi highway

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 11 passengers who were kidnapped on Wednesday on the Aloma–Egane expressway in Ofu local government area of the state.

The incident saw armed hoodlums ambush two commercial buses at about 4:40p.m. near Ogene Zaria, close to the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction.

In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, on Friday in Lokoja, the Command disclosed that the attackers emerged from the bush, blocked the two buses travelling in opposite directions, and abducted several passengers while others escaped into the surrounding forest.

The police added that upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Ofu mobilised a joint security team to the scene where
two abandoned vehicles, a white Hummer bus belonging to Peace Mass Transit and a yellow 18-seater bus, were recovered.

The Command also disclosed that a coordinated bush-combing and rescue operation was immediately launched, leading to the successful rescue of 11 victims, including the drivers of the affected buses.

Preliminary findings, according to the statement, revealed that most of the rescued passengers were members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) travelling from Bayelsa state to Abuja.

“The victims, after undergoing initial debriefing and necessary procedures, were allowed to continue their journey.

“Meanwhile, security operatives have intensified operations in the surrounding forest areas with the aim of rescuing the remaining victims and apprehending the perpetrators,” the statement read in part.

The Command assured residents and road users that all necessary operational and intelligence resources were being deployed to restore security in the area.