Security Forces Rescue 21 Abducted Travelers in Kogi State
The Nigerian Army has successfully rescued twenty-one passengers who were kidnapped by suspected bandits along the busy Obajana–Oshokoshoko road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Brigade in Lokoja, officially confirmed the rescue operation on Saturday while responding to inquiries about the attack that had shaken the community.
Details of the Attack and Rescue Operation
The violent incident occurred at approximately 2:30 pm when armed assailants blocked the major highway and launched an assault on multiple vehicles. Eyewitnesses reported that the kidnappers set up a barricade that trapped several vehicles including an 18-seater commercial bus.
According to accounts from the scene, the attackers seized vehicles that encountered their roadblock and forcefully took passengers into the nearby bush before security forces could arrive at the location.
Lt. Abdullahi explained that the successful rescue came after troops collaborated with vigilante groups, local hunters, and other security operatives to engage the kidnappers in what he described as a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The military spokesperson emphasized that operations are still ongoing to rescue any remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the attack.
Victims' Stories and Ongoing Threats
A family member of one victim, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, revealed that his younger brother had been traveling from Owo in Ondo State to Abuja when the vehicle was attacked just kilometers from Obajana.
The concerned brother shared disturbing details about communication from the kidnappers: I received a call on Friday from my brother's abductors demanding N40 million for his release. He was coming to Lokoja to inform our mother about my traditional wedding scheduled for next Friday.
Multiple vehicles were targeted during the coordinated attack, including:
- A Toyota Hiace bus (7BGT-78LG) traveling from Owo to Abuja
- A Toyota Sienna (YAB 968 AX) from Oshogbo to Kaduna
- A Toyota Carina (JMU 648 AA) heading from Lokoja to Kabba
- Another Toyota Hiace (GKP 178 XA) from Abuja to Ekiti State
A reliable source involved in the situation disclosed that eight of the rescued passengers were members of two biological families, while two drivers—a truck driver and a bus driver—were also among those freed from captivity.
The source further elaborated: Two families lost four members each in the incident and all were rescued. Two drivers, a truck driver and a bus driver, were also among those freed.
The successful rescue operation brings hope to families affected by the growing security challenges along major highways in Nigeria, though authorities continue to pursue the remaining kidnappers and ensure the safety of all travelers in the region.
