All 16 Kogi kidnap victims who were abducted by suspected kidnappers in Kogi State’s Ofu Local Government Area have regained their freedom, following a coordinated security operation headed by the Nigerian Army.
On Sunday, August 9, 2026, armed criminals attacked passengers along the Ojuwo–Ajengo–Memarebo and Ojiwo–Itobe routes, leading to the abduction of the victims.
Troops from 21 Battalion, along with members of the Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard, the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes, and hunters, initiated a search and rescue operation after receiving reliable information that the victims had been transported to the Adumu hamlet in Dekina Local Government Area.
A gun battle broke out between the two sides when the security force eventually caught up to the escaping kidnappers.
Military officials stated that the joint task force’s coordinated assault and overwhelming firepower forced the abductors to abandon their captives and flee into surrounding woodland, with several sustaining gunshot injuries.
The sixteen rescued Kogi kidnap victims include six adult males, six adult females, and four children.
According to the Army, all victims were placed under medical observation and undergone administrative documentation prior to reuniting with their families.
However, the operation resulted in casualties: a local hunter assisting the force was killed during the firefight, while an injured police officer is currently receiving medical care.
Commending the security personnel and local community members involved in the operation, the Army stated that the successful rescue underscored the effectiveness of sustained joint operations in tackling kidnapping and violent crime.
Additionally, military authorities urged the public to remain vigilant and swiftly report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
Borno kidnap victims in activity after 87 days
Eighty-seven days after terrorists abducted students from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Borno State’s Askira-Uba Local Government Area, grieving families say the pain of their loss remains as raw as the morning they were taken.
The kidnapping shattered the peace of the Mussa community around 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, when heavily armed assailants stormed the school and carried off young students—including toddlers—leaving behind empty classrooms, traumatized households, and widespread devastation.
Speaking to Daily Trust, distraught parents expressed profound distress, noting that authorities have provided no official updates regarding the location, condition, or status of their missing children.
According to the families claim that both state and federal authorities have remained largely silent on the situation, leaving them to navigate their nightmares in isolation.
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Backstory…
The latest rescue comes amid a wider wave of kidnapping incidents across Nigeria, with security agencies under increasing pressure to tackle criminal networks targeting travellers, communities and vulnerable residents.
In recent weeks, several abductions have been reported in different parts of the country, including the kidnapping of students and others in Oyo State, which renewed concerns over the safety of schools and rural communities.
Read Also: Oyo Kidnap Victims Finally Regain Freedom
