By Muhammed Ahmed Danasabe Lokoja
In a daring rescue operation, joint security troops comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and local hunters have rescued 31 passengers kidnapped by gunmen along Apata-Obajana road in Kogi state. The kidnapping occurred on Thursday night when two Toyota Hiace buses traveling from Lagos to Kano and Katsina were ambushed by the gunmen.
According to a counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama, the rescue operation was swift and effective, with the troops engaging the assailants in a fierce gun duel that forced them to abandon 31 of the 38 victims and flee into the forest. Makama stated that four of the rescued victims sustained various degrees of machete wounds, while one victim was hit by a bullet in the left thigh. All those injured have been evacuated and taken to the hospital for medical care.
The buses, with registration numbers DTF 773 XA and KNA 170 XA, were reportedly traveling with a total of 34 passengers when the gunmen attacked. A distress alert was received from a local hunter, prompting the joint security troops to respond quickly and rescue the passengers.
Makama said, "Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining seven abducted persons have been intensified." The joint security operation is a testament to the effectiveness of collaboration between security agencies in combating kidnapping and other forms of insecurity in the region.
The rescued passengers are currently receiving medical attention, while the security agencies continue to pursue the kidnappers and work towards rescuing the remaining victims. The incident highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between security agencies and local communities to prevent and respond to security threats.
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Security