From Ahmed Muhammed Danasabe, Lokoja
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in a joint operation with the Nigeria Police Force and local hunters, have rescued 31 passengers abducted by gunmen along the Apata-Obajana Road in Kogi State.
The passengers were reportedly kidnapped around 11:50 p.m. on Thursday when two Toyota Hiace buses were ambushed by the assailants. The buses were said to be en route from Lagos to Kano and Katsina respectively.
A counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama, confirmed the rescue, noting that four of the victims sustained machete injuries, while another was shot in the left thigh. All injured individuals have been evacuated to the hospital for medical treatment.
Makama said efforts have been intensified to rescue the remaining seven abducted victims still in captivity.
According to him, the first bus, with registration number DTF 773 XA and driven by Saminu Yahaya, was heading to Kano with 17 passengers. The second bus, registered as KNA 170 XA and driven by Bashir Dahiru, was on its way to Katsina with another 17 passengers.
“A distress alert was received from a local hunter, prompting a swift response by the troops, who engaged the assailants in a fierce gun battle.
The confrontation forced the kidnappers to abandon 31 of the 38 victims and flee into the forest,” Makama said.
Security forces continue combing the area to locate and rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.