They were said to have been rescued in Adogo forest near Ajaokota, in Kogi Central by the police led by SP Yusuf Hantsi in collaboration with the local vigilantes on Thursday.

In a statement issued in the early hours of Friday, the state police public relations officer, SP William Aya, stated that the victims were kidnapped on 17/5/2024 while on transit along the Ajaokuta-Adogo road.

He said, “The Operatives while on a rescue mission, combed the bush and invaded the kidnappers camp. The hoodlums engaged the team in a gun duel. However, due to the superior firepower of the team, the hoodlums abandoned their victims and fled. All the victims were rescued unhurt.”

He added, “In another development, following a tip-off that some armed hoodlums drove in an unregistered Golden colour Muzzle Camry went to the Ojode area, Ankpa, started shooting sporadically, in the process one Iliyasu Abubakar was shot dead while one other sustained bullet wound on his right chest”.

“Immediately, the Divisional Police Officer of Ankpa Division, CSP Chikamnele Amaralam swung into action and mobilized his team to the scene and engaged the hoodlums which forced them to flee and abandon one AK 47 Rifle with breech NO. 354951  and two live Ammunition.”