Richard Elesho
Sixteen people, including three pastors, were on Wednesday rescued from kidnappers by a combined team of soldiers, policemen, and operatives of the Kogi State Vigilante Service.
They were rescued from their abductors in a thick forest at Ejule, Ofu Local Government Council area, after spending 10 days in captivity. The operatives combed the forest for two nights before locating the victims in a camp.
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Unubi Emmanuel, who confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lokoja said a two-hour gun duel ensued, between the security personnel and the criminals.
The kidnappers were said to have succumbed to the superior firepower of security personnel when they fled with injuries.
Commenting, the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu, commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their bravery in securing the safe release of the 16 kidnap victims.
He stated that Kogi State is not a haven for criminals, asking them to go elsewhere, and commended his principal, Governor Usman Ododo for securing the state.
Salifu highlighted the governor’s intolerance for security breaches and his commitment to protecting lives and property.