The Nigerian Navy has rescued 13 kidnapped victims in Kogi State and arrested six suspected drug dealers in Rivers State in separate operations aimed at disrupting criminal activities across the country.
The victims were rescued on Monday, August 10, along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State during a joint operation involving the Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes.
The operation was launched following reports that several people had been abducted along the highway.
The security team, however, came under attack from the suspected kidnappers during the rescue operation, leading to casualties among the operatives.
A vigilante member was killed, while a police officer sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated for medical attention.
The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the relevant security authorities for screening and further assistance.
Security agencies have also intensified operations around the area in an attempt to track down the fleeing kidnappers and prevent further attacks along the highway.
Meanwhile, in Rivers State, personnel of the Navy’s Forward Operating Base, Bonny, working with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, arrested six suspected drug dealers during an intelligence-led operation at Amahausa in Bonny Local Government Area.
The operation also led to the recovery of several suspected illicit drugs, including 250 tablets of Exol 5, 117 wraps of Cannabis sativa, 50 wraps of methamphetamine and 70 wraps of heroin.
Security operatives also recovered eight 100mg Tramadol capsules, three packs of Cannabis sativa and a pipe suspected to have been used for smoking methamphetamine.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the developments, describing the operations as further evidence of the impact of intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration in tackling criminal networks.
Folorunsho said the coordinated operations reflected the Navy’s determination to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate while protecting communities and supporting wider national security efforts.
He added that the Navy would continue to strengthen cooperation with other security and law-enforcement agencies to confront kidnapping, drug trafficking and other criminal activities threatening the safety of Nigerians.
The latest operations come amid renewed efforts by security agencies to intensify intelligence-driven operations and joint responses to criminal threats across the country.