By Suleiman Abdulmumin
Security forces have rescued 16 kidnapped victims, including four children, during a search-and-rescue operation targeting suspected bandits in Kogi State.
The victims were abducted on August 9 after suspected bandits attacked commuters along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
According to intelligence sources who spoke to security analyst Zagazola Makama, security forces received information at about 11:30 a.m. on August 10 that the victims had been sighted around Adumu community in Dekina Local Government Area.
Acting on the intelligence, troops of the 21 Battalion and personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, local vigilantes and hybrid forces, launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
The security forces subsequently located the suspected kidnappers and engaged them in a gun battle.
Unable to withstand the sustained pressure, the kidnappers abandoned the victims and fled into the surrounding area.
However, one member of the hybrid forces was killed during the encounter, while a police officer sustained injuries.
The rescued victims comprised six men, six women and four children.
They have since been handed over to the Nigeria Police, Ajaokuta Division, for further action and necessary assistance.
Meanwhile, security forces are continuing operations to track down the fleeing kidnappers and bring them to justice.