November 28, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
At least twenty-one passengers were rescued unhurt on Thursday after armed bandits launched coordinated attacks on several vehicles along major highways in Kogi State. Two security personnel were, however, confirmed dead during the rescue operation.
The attacks, which occurred around 2:00 p.m., involved an estimated 100 bandits who targeted multiple vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna (YAB 968 AX) traveling from Osogbo to Kaduna; a Toyota Hiace bus (7BGT-78LG) conveying passengers from Owo, Ondo State to Abuja; another Toyota Hiace (GKP 178 XA) heading from Abuja to Ekiti State; a Toyota Carina (JMU 648 AA) from Lokoja to Kabba; a Dangote truck loaded with 900 bags of cement; and a J5 bus (FTA 313 XV) transporting bags of pepper from Kano to Lagos.
A joint team comprising operatives of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, Quick Response Units (QRU), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, vigilante groups, local hunters, and other security units engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of fire. The coordinated operation led to the safe rescue of 21 passengers, including men, women, and infants.
Rescued victims include Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi Ajayi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima Joseph, Nanko Joseph, Enenche Paulina, Bright Enenche, Rachael Enenche, nine-day-old Deborah Enenche, Bukola Clement, Toyin Clement, Glory Clement, Faith Clement, Peter Olawale, and the drivers of both the Dangote truck and the J5 bus.
Security sources confirmed the deaths of one soldier attached to the Oshokoshoko sector and a vigilante member from Odoape. Their identities have not yet been released.
Search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing to locate any remaining abducted victims and pursue the fleeing attackers.
