Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued 23 passengers who were abducted by suspected bandits along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The operation followed a swift response by security personnel after the attackers reportedly barricaded the highway and kidnapped several travellers in the early hours of June 1, 2026.
According to military authorities, troops deployed within the Kabba metropolis received a distress call at about 3:30 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Although the kidnappers had fled before the arrival of the troops, soldiers launched an aggressive pursuit along the suspected escape routes used by the criminals.
During an assessment of the attack scene, security operatives recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned by the roadside.
The attack, however, resulted in casualties, with two victims confirmed dead. Five others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
Military sources said the sustained pressure mounted by the pursuing troops forced the kidnappers to abandon 23 of their captives, who were subsequently rescued unharmed and taken to safety.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to combating criminal activities and ensuring the safety of residents and travellers across the country. It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing efforts against banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.
The rescue operation is the latest in a series of military efforts aimed at curbing the activities of armed criminal groups operating along major highways and rural communities in parts of the country.
