By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Obajana Division, in synergy with the Nigerian Army and Fulani Vigilante groups, successfully rescued three kidnapped victims from the dense Ankomi Forest in Kogi State.
This is contained in a statement signed by SP.William Ovie Aya the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in Lokoja for the Police Command in the state and copied The Reporters on Monday.
He said the rescue, which took place during an intensive raid operation on May 19, followed a fierce gun battle between the joint security team and the abductors.
Aya added that overpowered by the superior firepower of the operatives, the kidnappers were forced to flee, abandoning their victims in the process. All three victims were rescued unharmed.
According to him,the victims are; Musa Abdullahi of Mangu Local Government Area in Plateau State and Abdulazeez Adamu from Okene, Kogi State, who were abducted on May 15, 2025.
They were traveling in a J5 vehicle along Osara Road, en route from Ekpoma, Edo State, to Jos, Plateau State, when they were intercepted.
The third victim, Yusuf Ibrahim of Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State, was abducted on the same day from a trailer at the same location,he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, applauded the security operatives for their display of gallantry and commitment in confronting the criminals.
He reiterated the command’s unwavering resolve to partner with all security stakeholders in ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
The Commissioner of Police further urged residents of communities adjoining the forest to be vigilant and report any individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds to the nearest security formation.
He emphasized that public cooperation remains vital in the ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks in the region.
Our correspondent reports that the success of this operation underlines the importance of inter-agency collaboration and community partnership in combating insecurity.
It also serves as a reminder that prompt and coordinated action can yield powerful results in the fight against kidnapping and banditry.
