Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The kidnappers had already won the first battle. They had ambushed commuters along the Ajaokuta–Itobe Road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, forced passengers out of a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna vehicle, and dragged them into the surrounding bush. The vehicles sat abandoned by the roadside, their owners gone, their fate hanging in the balance. But the Nigerian Army was not about to let the criminals have the last word. Troops from Patrol Base Itobe launched a swift pursuit, tracked the abductors to the outskirts of Adumu Community in Dekina Local Government Area, and engaged them in a ferocious gun battle. The result: nine rescued victims, including an infant, and a gang of kidnappers sent fleeing with suspected gunshot wounds.
The rescue operation, which occurred on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, was triggered by a distress call reporting that suspected kidnappers had attacked commuters along the busy highway. Upon arrival at the scene, the troops found the two abandoned vehicles and immediately launched a pursuit, following the route taken by the fleeing criminals. The chase led them to Adumu, where they made contact with the kidnappers. In the ensuing firefight, the troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding bush.
The nine rescued victims comprised two elderly men, two elderly women, four other adult males, and an infant. They were immediately evacuated to safety and handed over to the Nigeria Police, Itobe Area Command, for further necessary action and reunification with their families. The army said troops have continued the pursuit of the fleeing suspects, while coordinated search operations are ongoing to rescue any remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The latest rescue is the second major operation reported in the Ofu-Dekina axis within two days. On Monday, August 10, a joint team of soldiers, naval personnel, police officers, local vigilantes and hunters rescued 16 people abducted from the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area. That operation, which also involved a gun battle near Adumu, resulted in the rescue of six adult males, six adult females and four children. One hunter was killed during that operation, while a police officer sustained injuries. Earlier, on August 9, the Kogi Police Command reported that its operatives had rescued 15 kidnap victims after a gun battle with their abductors along the Itobe-Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area, an incident that occurred around 4 p.m. between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, which police identified as a kidnapping flashpoint.
These incidents have highlighted the security challenge along the road network linking Ofu, Dekina and other parts of Kogi, where suspected kidnappers have repeatedly used surrounding forests to abduct travellers and evade security forces. The Ajaokuta–Itobe Road, a critical artery connecting communities in Kogi State, has become a corridor of fear for commuters, with criminal gangs exploiting the dense bush and rugged terrain to launch ambushes. The repeated attacks have forced security agencies to intensify operations in the area, with the military and police coordinating efforts to protect travellers and dismantle the criminal networks that have turned the highway into a death trap.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement shared on its official social media handle, said the rescue operation was a testament to its commitment to protecting lives and property in collaboration with other security agencies. The army also urged members of the public to support security operations by providing timely and credible information that could aid the prompt response to criminal activities. The military's swift response and the successful rescue of the nine victims underscore the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the importance of rapid deployment in countering kidnapping incidents. However, the persistence of such attacks raises questions about the broader security strategy needed to address the root causes of insecurity along Nigeria's highways.
For the nine rescued victims, the ordeal is over. They have been reunited with their families, their lives spared by the courage and professionalism of the troops who risked their own safety to bring them home. But for the people of Kogi State, the fear remains. The kidnappers are still at large, and the forests that shield them continue to provide cover for their operations. The army has vowed to sustain the pursuit, and the message to the criminals is clear: no matter how deep they run, the long arm of the law will follow. As one resident put it, "These soldiers are our only hope. Without them, we would have lost our people forever." The battle for the soul of Kogi's highways is far from over, but for one night, the good guys won.
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