The Kogi State Police Command has explained how 15 National Youth Service Corps members and six other victims were rescued from kidnappers after they were abducted in the state.
The victims were rescued from a kidnappers’ camp in Egume Forest, Ofu Local Government Area, following a joint operation by security agencies and local hunters.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, gave the account on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.
According to him, security agencies began working on the rescue as soon as the abduction was reported. The operation involved the military, police, Department of State Services operatives, local vigilantes and hunters.
‘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.
He said the security commanders mapped out a plan and began searching the area immediately.
‘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.’
The search eventually led security forces to the kidnappers’ camp, where they engaged the suspects in a gun battle on Monday afternoon.
‘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.’
Kankarofi said two of the victims were injured during the operation.
‘Unfortunately, two people suffered gunshot injuries to their right legs: one corps member and one civilian who was abducted from the second vehicle.’
He explained that the corps members were travelling from Bayelsa when the kidnappers attacked them after they entered Kogi through the Itobe-Ajaokuta Highway.
‘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.’
The police commissioner also disclosed that four suspected kidnappers were killed during the gun battle, while some others escaped with injuries.
‘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.’
He said security personnel were still searching the area for the fleeing suspects.
‘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.’
Kankarofi added that the police command had contacted security authorities in neighbouring Enugu State to prevent the suspects from escaping through 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 followed their abduction in Egume Forest, Ofu Local Government Area.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, had earlier confirmed that the victims were rescued through a joint operation by security agencies.
Kankarofi urged residents and travellers not to panic over the incident, saying it was an isolated case.
‘These are just isolated cases.’
He said the state remained generally peaceful and that security agencies were responding to threats when they occurred.
‘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 advised travellers to continue using roads across the state, assuring them that security personnel were on the ground.
‘But generally, the state is calm. You can feel free to travel through Kogi State with nothing to worry about.’