Troops of the 12 Composite Brigade under the 5 Division of the Nigerian Army have foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued 11 passengers along the Kabba-Ayere Road in Kogi State.
The Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
He said the operation followed credible intelligence that terrorists were attempting to kidnap passengers travelling in a commercial vehicle on October 18.
The troops quickly moved to the scene, engaged the terrorists in a gun battle and forced them to flee into the surrounding bush.
Nine passengers, including the driver of the commercial vehicle, were rescued during the operation.
The driver and two other injured passengers were evacuated for medical treatment, while the vehicle was handed over to the appropriate authorities.
On October 19, troops returned to the area and rescued two more passengers who had escaped into the bush during the attack.
Lieutenant Abdullahi said the successful operation reflects the Nigerian Army’s determination to protect lives, secure major roads and deny terrorists freedom of operation in Kogi State.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring that the Army remains committed to safeguarding lives and property across the state.