Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 23 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Security sources disclosed that the incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on Monday when heavily armed assailants barricaded the road and attacked travellers passing through the area.
The attackers reportedly abducted several passengers before troops of the 12 Brigade, Kabba, swiftly mobilised to the scene following a distress call.
However, by the time the soldiers arrived, the kidnappers had fled into nearby bushes. Troops discovered two dead bodies and five injured victims at the scene. They also recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned along the roadside.
A military source revealed that the troops immediately launched a pursuit operation, which led to the successful rescue of 23 abducted passengers. The rescued victims were evacuated to safety, while the injured were taken to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, for medical treatment.
Military authorities said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and secure the release of any remaining victims. They added that surveillance and clearance operations have been intensified across the area to prevent further attacks and improve security.
The Ayegunle–Bunu axis has witnessed a series of kidnapping incidents and bandit activities in recent months, prompting increased military deployment and security operations in the area.
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