The Kogi State Police Command has disclosed how security forces rescued 15 National Youth Service Corps members and six other abducted persons from a kidnappers’ camp in Egume Forest, Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, disclosed this on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.
Kankarofi said security forces launched a search-and-rescue operation immediately after receiving an alert about the abduction, with personnel from the military, police and Department of State Services, as well as local vigilantes and hunters, involved in the operation.
He said the involvement of local vigilantes and hunters was crucial because of their familiarity with 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 designed a search-and-rescue operation that began 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 on Monday afternoon, during which all 21 victims were rescued.
“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 said two of the rescued victims sustained gunshot injuries 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.
How the corps members were abducted
The commissioner said the corps members were travelling from Bayelsa when they were attacked after entering Kogi State 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 gunshot 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,” Kankarofi said.
“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.”
The rescue followed the abduction of the 15 corps members and six other persons in Egume Forest, Ofu Local Government Area.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, had earlier said the victims were rescued in a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies.
Police assure travellers of safety
Kankarofi urged residents and travellers to remain calm, describing the incident as an isolated case.
“These are just isolated cases,” he said.
He said Kogi remained generally peaceful and that security agencies were responding promptly to security threats across the state.
“Kogi State has been generally peaceful and calm. The security forces here are very effective and respond promptly; that’s why when such situations happen, you get to know about them,” he said.
The commissioner also encouraged travellers to continue using roads across the state, assuring them of the presence of security personnel.
“But generally, the state is calm. You can feel free to travel through Kogi State with nothing to worry about,” he said.
