A joint security mission successfully freed 16 hostages held by suspected bandits in the Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. The group of survivors included six men, six women, and four children.
These individuals were originally seized on Saturday, August 9, while traveling on the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads within the Ofu Local Government Area. Authorities initiated the rescue after receiving intelligence that the hostages were being held near the Adumu community.
The operation was a coordinated effort involving the 21 Battalion, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, local police, vigilante groups, and Hybrid Forces. During the confrontation, the security personnel successfully forced the captors to retreat and abandon their captives.
Tragically, the mission resulted in the death of one Hybrid Force member and left one police officer injured. The rescued individuals were transferred to the police station in Ajaokuta to continue the investigation. Military officials stated that this event demonstrates the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in combating kidnapping throughout the state.
