Nigerian Army troops have successfully rescued 23 passengers who were abducted by suspected armed kidnappers along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on Monday when armed men blocked the highway and attacked travellers.
According to the sources, the gunmen abducted several passengers before troops of the 12 Brigade, Kabba, responded swiftly after receiving a distress alert.
By the time the soldiers arrived, the attackers had already fled the scene. However, troops recovered two dead bodies and five injured victims from the location. Two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck were also found abandoned along the road.
A source stated: “The troops immediately launched a pursuit operation leading to the rescue of 23 abducted passengers.”
The rescued victims were taken to a safe location, while the injured were evacuated to St Joseph Hospital, Kabba, for medical attention.
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Military authorities said follow-up operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing kidnappers and ensure the rescue of any remaining victims. They added that surveillance and clearance operations have been intensified in the area to prevent further attacks.
The Ayegunle–Bunu axis has in recent times witnessed repeated incidents of kidnapping and banditry, prompting increased military deployment in the region.