Sixteen people abducted by suspected kidnappers in Kogi State have been rescued by security forces following a coordinated search operation.
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‎The victims were taken on Sunday when armed men attacked commuters along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
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‎The Nigerian Army, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Appolonia Anele, said the rescue operation involved troops, personnel of the Nigerian Navy and police, as well as local vigilantes and hunters.
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‎According to the statement, the joint team encountered the fleeing kidnappers during the operation, leading to a gun battle between both sides.
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‎The army said the attackers, unable to withstand the superior firepower of the security personnel, abandoned their captives and fled into the surrounding forest with gunshot wounds.
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‎All 16 victims were subsequently rescued. They comprised six adult men, six adult women and four children.
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‎The rescued persons are currently undergoing documentation and medical checks before being reunited with their families, the army said.
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‎However, the operation was not without casualties, as a vigilante member was killed while a police officer sustained injuries.