TROOPS of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade have rescued 17 passengers, including four children, who were abducted by suspected bandits in Kogi State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, 10 September, when a 17-seater bus travelling from Osun State to Abuja was intercepted by armed criminals near Opamaru Village along the Obajana–Lokoja Road.
According to a statement from Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, troops stationed at Patrol Base Apata received intelligence of the attack and swiftly mobilised, supported by the Brigade Quick Response Group, Hybrid Forces, and local vigilantes.
On reaching the scene, the soldiers found the bus abandoned by the roadside and empty. Using field tracking techniques, they trailed the kidnappers’ footprints to Wuro Village in Adavi Local Government Area. The troops engaged the criminals, who fled into the bush after sustaining gunshot injuries, abandoning all 17 captives.
The rescued passengers — 13 adults and four children — were immediately taken to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre for first aid and stabilisation.
