Army, Vigilantes Rescue 4 Abducted Kogi Residents

Four residents of Oke-Ere community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, who were abducted by suspected bandits on Sunday morning, have regained their freedom following a joint rescue operation by personnel of the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes.

According to a community source, the operation resulted in a fierce gun battle during which three of the suspected bandits were killed, while several others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.

A member of the local vigilante group, identified as Baba Glo, an indigene of Oke-Ere, was however, killed during the exchange of fire.

The victims, identified simply as Tunde, Stephen and two Hausa residents, were said to have been on their way to a river known as Liberia within the community when they were ambushed and abducted by the gunmen in the early hours of Sunday.

Following a distress call, troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by local vigilantes, launched a search-and-rescue operation that led to the successful rescue of the four victims.

Security sources said the attackers engaged the operatives in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the captives and flee after suffering casualties.

The rescued victims have since reunited with their families, while security operatives have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and restore normalcy to the area.

The latest incident underscores the lingering security challenges in parts of Yagba West, despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb criminal activities in the area.

The police in Kogi State was yet to make any official statement.