Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued nine kidnapped commuters after engaging suspected kidnappers along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road in Kogi.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in Ofu Local Government Area, according to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
The report said suspected kidnappers attacked commuters and abducted an unspecified number of passengers along the road.
Troops of 21 Battalion deployed at Patrol Base Itobe mobilised to the scene and found an abandoned Hiace bus and Toyota Sienna vehicle.
The troops subsequently exploited the criminals’ withdrawal route and made contact with them around Adumu community in Dekina Local Government Area.
The troops engaged the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding area.
Nine victims, comprising two elderly men, two elderly women, four men and an infant were subsequently rescued.
The rescued victims were handed over to the Police Area Command in Itobe for further action, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining victims, the report said. (NAN)