Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The sun was beginning its slow descent over the Itobe–Anyigba Highway on Sunday, August 9, 2026, when a Peace Mass Transit bus carrying passengers through the heart of Kogi State was violently intercepted by armed abductors. In a matter of seconds, ordinary travellers became captives, dragged into the dense bush of Ofu Local Government Area, their fate hanging in the balance. But what could have become another tragic statistic in Nigeria's unending struggle against kidnapping instead became a story of resilience, courage and the relentless pursuit of justice. The Kogi State Police Command, in a coordinated operation that brought together multiple security agencies, rescued all 15 victims after a fierce gun battle that neutralised several of their abductors and sent the rest fleeing into the forest.
The abduction occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, a notorious kidnapping flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili axis of the highway. The Peace Mass Transit bus, a familiar sight on Nigerian roads, was ambushed by the kidnappers, who forcefully took its occupants into the bush. The victims comprised 12 adults and three children, including two personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps. Their names, later released by the police, painted a picture of ordinary Nigerians from all walks of life: CRC I. Ibe and SRC Ik. Ukandu of the FRSC; Josephbah, Joshua Daniel, Joy Ogbu, Chigocife Ogbu, Charity Aneebo, Ngozi Stephin, Somaliya Zegu, Chidera Emanuel, Pamela Oraeto, Abakwam Loveth, Chimereze Nekuma, Chibok Nzekwu, and Victor Edozi Anyichie.
Upon receiving the distress report, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, wasted no time. He ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to locate the victims and rescue them safely. The response was swift and comprehensive, drawing together personnel from the Police, the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and other auxiliary forces. The operation was a testament to what can be achieved when security agencies collaborate effectively, pooling their resources and intelligence to confront a common enemy.
The rescue team tracked the abductors to their hideout deep within the forest. A fierce gun battle erupted as the security operatives closed in, exchanging heavy fire with the kidnappers who had dug in to defend their captives. The confrontation was intense, with both sides unleashing volleys of ammunition. Several suspected kidnappers were neutralised in the exchange, while others, realising the tide had turned against them, abandoned their victims and fled into the surrounding forest. But the victory came at a cost. A local vigilante who had joined the operation to protect his community lost his life, and a police officer sustained gunshot injuries during the encounter. Their sacrifice, however, was not in vain.
Despite the resistance, the security operatives successfully reached the kidnappers' hideout and rescued all 15 victims directly from their custody. The police confirmed that all the rescued victims were found safe and unharmed and were being moved out of the area to safety. The operation stands as one of the most successful rescue missions in Kogi State in recent months, demonstrating the effectiveness of intelligence-led, multi-agency operations in combating the scourge of kidnapping that has plagued Nigeria's highways.
The success of the operation, however, should not obscure the broader context. The Itobe–Anyigba Highway has become a corridor of fear for travellers, a stretch of road where the threat of abduction looms over every journey. The Kogi State Police Command, in its statement, disclosed that three other coordinated security operations were currently ongoing at different locations in the state as part of efforts to disrupt criminal activities and protect residents. The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in apprehending criminal elements.
The rescue of the 15 victims is a powerful reminder of the human cost of kidnapping and the bravery of the security forces who put their lives on the line to protect ordinary citizens. For the families of the victims, the news of their rescue brought an end to hours of agonising uncertainty, a relief that words cannot fully capture. For the community, it was a moment of collective celebration, a rare victory in a region that has endured far too much pain. And for the security forces, it was a vindication of their strategy, proof that with the right intelligence, coordination and courage, even the most desperate situations can be turned around.
As the manhunt for the fleeing abductors continues, the message from the Kogi State Police Command is clear: the era of impunity for kidnappers is over. The command has vowed to sustain tactical and intelligence-driven operations across the state, tracking down every member of the syndicate and bringing them to justice. For now, the 15 rescued victims are safe, their ordeal behind them. But the battle against kidnapping is far from over, and the people of Kogi State can only hope that this victory marks the beginning of the end of the terror that has gripped their highways.
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