Army rescues nine commuters abducted along Ajaokuta-Itobe road

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued nine commuters abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road in Kogi State.

The incident occurred on Tuesday in Ofu Local Government Area, according to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The report said the suspected kidnappers attacked commuters travelling along the road and abducted an unspecified number of passengers.

Following the incident, troops of the 21 Battalion, deployed at Patrol Base Itobe, mobilised to the area and discovered an abandoned Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna believed to have been used by the victims.

The troops subsequently tracked the kidnappers through their withdrawal route and made contact with the suspects around Adumu community in Dekina Local Government Area.

A gun battle reportedly ensued, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the surrounding area.

The troops subsequently rescued nine victims comprising two elderly men, two elderly women, four men and an infant.

The rescued victims were handed over to the Police Area Command in Itobe for further action.

The military said efforts were ongoing to locate and rescue other victims who may still be in the custody of the kidnappers.