21 travellers plying Kogi highway rescued as troops foil bandits attack

No fewer than 21 travellers have been rescued by the troops of the Nigerian Army, alongside other security operatives, following a foiled a kidnapping attempt by bandits who attacked on some vehicles travelling along the Kogi highway.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorism publication, while confirming this on Thursday, said the attack happened at about 2pm.

According to Makama, the operation was carried out by troops of the 12 brigade of the Nigerian Army, men of the quick response units (QRU), operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC), vigilantes, local hunters, and other security personnel.

The publication said the security operatives engaged the bandits in a gun duel which led to the rescue of the passengers, adding that two personnel, including a soldier attached to the Oshokoshoko sector and one vigilante from Odoape, died during the shoot-out.

Quoting sources, Makama said about 100 armed bandits attacked a Toyota Siena with registration number YAB 968 AX travelling from Osogbo to Kaduna, a Toyota Hiace bus (7BGT-78LG) conveying passengers from Owo, Ondo state, to Abuja, adding that another Toyota Hiace (GKP 178 XA) from Abuja to Ekiti state, a Toyota Carina (JMU 648 AA) from Lokoja to Kabba, a Dangote truck transporting 900 bags of cement, and a J5 bus (FTA 313 XV) carrying bags of pepper from Kano to Lagos, were among those attacked by the armed men.

The publication said women and infants were among the 21 passengers rescued.

Makama said rescue operations were ongoing to rescue any remaining abducted victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

However, no official report yet from the Kogi Police Command regarding the the incident.

Source: TheCable