The Kogi State Police Command has explained how security forces rescued 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and six other abducted persons from kidnappers in Egume Forest, Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
Kankarofi said security agencies launched a search-and-rescue operation immediately after receiving information about the abduction, with the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), local vigilantes and hunters taking part in the operation.
He said the involvement of local hunters and vigilantes was particularly important because of their knowledge of the terrain.
“As soon as we were alerted, we put all necessary measures in place to ensure they were rescued and returned to their families. An emergency meeting was convened by all the service commanders: the Brigade Commander, the Commissioner of Police, and the Director of DSS,” Kankarofi said.
He said the security commanders subsequently developed a search-and-rescue plan, which commenced immediately and was intensified after the suspected kidnappers’ location was narrowed down.
“We fashioned out a search-and-rescue operation, which commenced immediately. As the situation unfolded, we narrowed down to a particular spot and sought the support of local vigilantes and hunters who know the terrain very well,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the operation culminated in a gun battle at the kidnappers’ camp around 4 p.m. on Monday, resulting in the rescue of all the victims.
“The operation commenced in earnest on Sunday. To God be the glory, around 4:00 p.m. yesterday, we arrived at the camp of the kidnappers. There was a serious gun battle; they were eventually overpowered, and all the corps members were rescued,” he said.
Kankarofi disclosed that two of the rescued victims sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire.
“Unfortunately, two people suffered gunshot injuries to their right legs: one corps member and one civilian who was abducted from the second vehicle,” he said.
The commissioner said the corps members were travelling from Bayelsa State when they were attacked after entering Kogi along the Itobe-Ajaokuta Highway.
“When they entered Kogi along the Itobe–Ajaokuta Highway around 5:00 p.m., they were attacked and abducted into the bush alongside passengers from another vehicle coming from the opposite direction,” he said.
Kankarofi said four suspected kidnappers were killed during the gun battle, while several others escaped with bullet wounds.
“Four of the kidnappers were killed during the exchange of fire, and several escaped with bullet wounds. A search-and-rescue operation has been going on since yesterday to mop up the area and arrest the fleeing suspects,” he said.
He added that security forces remained in the area to track the fleeing suspects, while the Kogi Police Command had contacted its counterpart in Enugu State to block possible escape routes.
“As I am talking to you now, all our officers—military, police, DSS operatives, and hunters—are still at the operational theatre, and we are awaiting outcomes,” he said.
Kankarofi added that he had also contacted the Enugu State Police Command because the area provides a possible route into the neighbouring state.
“This morning, I also linked up with the neighbouring command in Enugu State because that area leads into Enugu, and arrangements have been made to ensure their forces block their end of the region,” he said.
The rescue followed the abduction of the 15 corps members and six other persons in Egume Forest, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, had earlier confirmed that the victims were rescued in a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies.
Kankarofi urged residents and travellers to remain calm, describing the incident as an isolated case and assuring the public of continued security operations in the area.
