A joint security team led by the Nigerian Army has successfully rescued 16 individuals who were abducted by suspected kidnappers in Kogi State, even as they mourned the loss of a brave local hunter who sacrificed his life during the operation.
The victims—comprising six adult males, six adult females, and four children—were originally seized on Sunday, August 9, 2026, when armed criminals targeted commuters on the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area.
Acting on credible intelligence indicating that the captives had been relocated near the Adumu Community in Dekina Local Government Area, a coordinated rescue mission was swiftly launched.
Troops from the 21 Battalion, personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard, and officers from the Nigeria Police Force teamed up with local vigilantes and hunters to track down the perpetrators.
According to a statement released on Monday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the security forces made contact with the fleeing kidnappers and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.
Overwhelmed by the tactical response, the criminals abandoned all 16 hostages and escaped into the surrounding forest sustaining gunshot wounds.
While the rescued victims are currently undergoing medical assessment and documentation ahead of their reunification with families, the operation was marked by tragedy.
A heroic local hunter participating in the joint mission lost his life, and a police officer sustained injuries during the firefight and is receiving medical treatment.
The Army praised the courage of the fallen hunter and all participating stakeholders, emphasizing that the successful rescue highlights the critical importance of inter-agency collaboration and local security partnerships in combating violent crime across the region.
