Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops deployed at the Eruku Patrol Base have successfully rescued one of two truck drivers kidnapped along the notorious Eruku–Egbe road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, security sources said. The rescue followed a swift search‑and‑rescue operation triggered by a distress call received at about 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 28 April 2026. The two drivers, who were employees of Dangote Cement, were abducted by gunmen who ambushed their vehicles in an area that has become a hotspot for criminal gangs operating along the Kwara–Kogi border.
At approximately 6:30 a.m., the troops received a report that two commercial drivers had been taken by gunmen who had blocked the highway and forced the victims into the surrounding bush. Without wasting time, soldiers advanced into nearby footpaths and dense vegetation, tracking the suspected kidnappers who had fled into the forest. The rapid response paid off: one of the abducted drivers was found and extracted alive. Efforts are ongoing to locate the second victim, who remains in captivity.
During the operation, troops recovered two motorcycles believed to belong to the fleeing assailants. The motorcycles were found abandoned in the bush and have been taken into military custody for further investigation. No weapons were recovered, but security sources say the gang is believed to be part of a larger syndicate that has been terrorising travellers on the Eruku–Egbe corridor, a route that links communities in Kwara and Kogi states.
The Eruku–Egbe road has long been a hotspot for kidnapping and armed robbery. In November 2025, 38 worshippers of the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku were abducted, an incident that triggered nationwide outrage. In March 2026, gunmen attacked motorists along the same road, forcing vehicles to stop and passengers to flee. Residents and commuters have repeatedly called for stronger security presence on the axis, but attacks have persisted.
Tuesday’s operation was part of a broader military push against banditry in Kwara State, where the Armed Forces have been conducting clearance missions under Operation Savannah Shield. According to a statement by the Defence Media Operations, troops had intensified patrols in Ekiti and Kaiama Local Government Areas in recent weeks, conducting search‑and‑rescue missions and destroying suspected bandit camps.
The Nigerian Army has not issued an official statement on the latest rescue, but security sources confirmed that the operation was led by troops stationed at the Eruku Patrol Base, who responded immediately to the distress call. The rescued driver has been taken to a medical facility for evaluation, and his identity has not been disclosed for security reasons.
The abduction of the two Dangote drivers adds to a growing list of attacks on commercial vehicles in the region, a development that has forced many transport companies to restrict night travel or employ armed escorts. The incident also raises questions about the safety of workers on critical economic routes, as Dangote Cement’s operations rely on the free movement of goods along the Ilorin–Kabba highway and its feeder roads.
As the search for the second driver continues, troops remain on high alert, combing the forest and forestalling any further attacks. The recovery of the two motorcycles may provide critical intelligence to dismantle the kidnapping ring responsible for the abduction. Meanwhile, local residents have expressed relief at the rescue of one driver but remain anxious about the fate of the second victim and the broader security situation in the area.
The Kwara State Government has yet to issue a statement on the incident, but Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has previously called on the military to intensify operations in the area. With the 2027 elections approaching, sustained pressure on criminal networks will be crucial to restoring confidence among residents and investors.
For the family of the rescued driver, the news brings a measure of relief, but for the family of the missing driver, every passing hour deepens the anguish. The troops have vowed to continue the search until the second victim is found and the perpetrators are brought to justice.
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