By Stephen Adeleye
Nigerian Army confirmed that a soldier and a vigilante operative were killed during rescue of 21 passengers from bandits along the Kabba-Obajana road axis of Kogi State.
The spokesperson for 12 Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, confirmed on Saturday in Lokoja.
Abdullahi added that rescue efforts had continued toward locating any remaining abductees and apprehending the perpetrators.
“Yes, it’s true. The incident happened on Thursday, and the troops are still combining the forest to apprehend the perpetrators,” Abdullahi said.
Sources had earlier reported that about 100 bandits targeted a convoy of six vehicles travelling between southern and northern Nigeria.
The source said that the attacks, which occurred around 2:00p.m, affected a Toyota Siena (YAB968AX), from Osogbo to Kaduna, a Toyota Hiace (7BGT78LG) from Owo to Abuja.
It also added that a Hiace (GKP178XA) from Abuja to Ekiti, a Toyota Carina (JMU648AA) from Lokoja to Kabba, a Dangote truck hauling 900 bags of cement, and a J5 bus (FTA313XV) carrying pepper from Kano to Lagos, were also involved in the attacks.
The source said a joint rescue operation by the 12Brigade Nigerian Army, Quick Response Units (QRU), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilante, and hunters engaged the bandits in a gun duel, securing the release of 21 passengers, including men, women, and infants.
“Rescued individuals include: Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi and Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima and Nanko Joseph, and Enenche Paulina.
“Also rescued were Bright, Rachael and Deborah Enenche (9days old), Bukola and Toyin Clement, Glory and Faith Clement, Peter Olawale, and the drivers of the Dangote truck and J5 bus.
“Tragically, one soldier from Oshokoshoko sector and one vigilante from Odoape were killed,” the source said.
A troops of the 12 Brigade had in a coordinated operation on Tuesday, foiled an ambush by bandits, killed one bandit and rescued a kidnapped victim along Kabba-Obajana road.
The communities were urged to remain on high alert amid rising bandit activity in Kogi State.
(NAN)