Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have rescued 23 kidnapped passengers following a swift counter-kidnapping operation along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to the Nigerian Army, the operation was launched in the early hours of Monday, June 1, 2026, after suspected bandits reportedly barricaded the highway and abducted several passengers travelling through the area.
In a statement, the Army said troops responded immediately after receiving a distress call at about 3:30 a.m.
“Troops deployed within the Kabba metropolis immediately staged a rescue operation to the scene,” the statement said.
Although the kidnappers had fled before security personnel arrived, troops reportedly launched an aggressive pursuit along the suspects’ suspected escape routes.
During an assessment of the attack scene, soldiers recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned by the roadside.
The Army disclosed that two victims lost their lives during the attack, while five others sustained injuries.
“Two victims were confirmed dead, while five others sustained injuries and were promptly evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, where they are currently receiving treatment,” the statement added.
Military authorities said sustained pressure from pursuing troops forced the kidnappers to abandon 23 captives, who were subsequently rescued unharmed.
“The relentless pressure mounted by the pursuing troops forced the kidnappers to abandon 23 of their captives, who were subsequently rescued unharmed and secured,” the Army stated.
The Nigerian Army said troops have continued to dominate the area and are conducting intensive search-and-rescue operations to locate and safely recover any remaining victims who may still be in captivity.
Reaffirming its commitment to tackling insecurity, the Army noted that it remains determined to deny criminal elements freedom of action and will continue to collaborate with other security agencies and local stakeholders to strengthen security across Kogi State and the country.
The military also appealed to members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to relevant security agencies.
