BREAKING: Four Kidnap Victims Rescued in Kogi as Vigilante Member Is Killed, Three Bandits Neutralised

By Queen Madaki

Four residents abducted by suspected bandits in Oke-Ere community, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, have been rescued following a joint operation by local vigilantes and personnel of the Nigerian Army.

The rescue operation came hours after armed assailants invaded the community in the early hours of Sunday, abducting the residents and throwing the community into panic.

Four Residents Abducted in Oke-Ere

According to reports, the victims were ambushed by the suspected bandits while heading to a river known as Liberia within the Oke-Ere community.

The victims were identified as Tunde, Stephen and two Hausa residents. The four residents were reportedly intercepted by the attackers and taken to an unknown destination.

The incident prompted local security volunteers and personnel of the Nigerian Army to launch a search-and-rescue operation aimed at locating the victims and securing their release.

Security Operatives Engage Suspected Bandits in Gun Battle

The joint security team reportedly tracked the suspected kidnappers into the surrounding area, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the armed attackers.

During the gun battle, three of the suspected bandits were reportedly neutralised, while several others escaped into nearby bushes with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

The four abducted residents were successfully rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.

Vigilante Member Killed During Rescue Operation

However, the operation came at a heavy cost as a member of the local vigilante group, identified simply as Baba Glo, was killed while confronting the suspected kidnappers.

Baba Glo, a native of Oke-Ere community, was described by residents as one of the area’s committed vigilante members who paid the ultimate price while defending the community against the attackers.

Residents mourned his death while commending the efforts of the vigilantes and Nigerian Army personnel who participated in the operation that led to the rescue of the four abducted residents.

Army Launches Search Operation After Abduction

A local platform, Egba Mekun Parrot, quoting a source familiar with the incident, had reported that Nigerian Army personnel were deployed to the area following the abduction and commenced a search-and-rescue operation.

The latest operation eventually resulted in the rescue of the four victims and the reported neutralisation of three suspected bandits.

Abduction Comes After Training of Kogi Forest Guards

The incident occurred barely a day after Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, passed out 530 pioneer Forest Guards in Lokoja.

The governor had charged the newly trained Forest Guards with defending the state against criminal elements as part of efforts to strengthen security across Kogi State.

The latest attack and subsequent rescue operation underscore the security challenges confronting communities in parts of the state and the importance of cooperation between security agencies, local vigilantes and residents in tackling criminal activities.

The Bureau Journal reports that the four abducted residents have been rescued and reunited with their families, while the security situation in Oke-Ere and surrounding communities remains under close watch.