Operatives of the Kogi State Vigilante Service (KSVS) have rescued seven kidnapped victims from a forest in Overe, Okene Local Government Area, and foiled a separate abduction attempt in Zariagi, Kabba Junction.
The two operations, carried out on October 18, followed intelligence gathering and a distress call, according to a statement by the service.
The statement, signed by the KSVS Public Relations Officer, Idris S. Idris, on Monday, said operatives of the Okene Command, working with local hunters, launched a rescue operation in Overe Forest after receiving actionable intelligence.
It said the kidnappers opened fire on sighting the security operatives, triggering a gun duel.
However, the vigilantes reportedly overpowered the gunmen, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee with suspected bullet wounds.
The operation led to the successful rescue of all seven victims from the kidnappers’ hideout.
In a separate incident, operatives of the Zariagi Sub-Command foiled a kidnapping attempt on a resident of the Deeper Life Camp area, Zariagi, around Kabba Junction.
The incident occurred at about 2:12 a.m. on the same day.
According to the statement, the operatives swiftly responded to a distress call and engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their mission.
The Comptroller-General of the KSVS, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Anataku, commended the operatives for their performance and urged them to sustain the momentum in tackling criminal activities across the state.
Anataku also expressed appreciation to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his continued support and encouragement to the service.
He called on residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and actionable intelligence to help prevent kidnappings and other criminal activities.