Troops of the Nigerian Army say 16 residents held hostage by bandits were rescued during a coordinated search operation in Kogi. The victims were kidnapped on Sunday, following gunmen’s attack on commuters along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu council area.

This was disclosed by Appolonia Anele, the army spokesperson, in a statement on Tuesday, that the abducted victims were rescued in collaboration with operatives of the Nigerian Navy, the police, local vigilantes and hunters.

She stated that during the operation, the joint security team established contact with the fleeing kidnappers and engaged them in a fierce firefight.

“Overwhelmed by the superior firepower and coordinated assault of the security forces, the criminals abandoned all their captives and escaped into the surrounding forest with gunshot wounds. The operation culminated in the successful rescue of all 16 kidnapped victims, comprising six adult males, six adult females and four children,” she said.

Ms Anele said that the rescued victims were undergoing documentation, medical assessment and reunification with their families.

A vigilante was killed and a cop wounded during the operation.