At least 21 passengers have been rescued unharmed after heavily armed bandits attacked several vehicles along major highways in Kogi State on Thursday.
Two security personnel were confirmed dead during the rescue mission.
Security sources said about 100 armed bandits opened fire on multiple vehicles, including a Toyota Siena (YAB 968 AX) travelling from Oshogbo to Kaduna, a Toyota Hiace bus (7BGT-78LG) carrying passengers from Owo in Ondo State to Abuja, and another Toyota Hiace (GKP 178 XA) heading from Abuja to Ekiti State.
Other vehicles attacked were a Toyota Carina (JMU 648 AA) moving from Lokoja to Kabba, a Dangote truck transporting 900 bags of cement, and a J5 bus (FTA 313 XV) loaded with bags of pepper from Kano to Lagos. The ambush happened around 2:00 p.m.
A joint team from the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, Quick Response Units (QRU), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, vigilantes, local hunters, and other operatives quickly engaged the bandits in what sources described as a gun duel.
According to the field report quoted by security analyst, Zagazola Makama, “the operation successfully secured the release of 21 passengers, including men, women and infants.”
Those rescued include Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi Ajayi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima Joseph, Nanko Joseph, Enenche Paulina, Bright Enenche, Rachael Enenche, Deborah Enenche (9 days old), Bukola Clement, Toyin Clement, Glory Clement, Faith Clement, Peter Olawale, and the drivers of both the Dangote truck and the J5 bus.
However, two members of the joint team lost their lives while exchanging fire with the attackers.
The report confirmed that “one soldier attached to the Oshokoshoko sector and one vigilante from Odoape” died during the confrontation. Their identities have not yet been released.
Search-and-rescue efforts are still ongoing to trace any remaining abducted passengers and to pursue the gunmen believed to have fled into surrounding forest areas.