A joint security operation has led to the rescue of 21 travellers abducted along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road in Kogi State.
The rescue operation was disclosed in a statement by Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade
The statement indicated that victims were rescued on Monday after troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, working with the police, Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters and vigilantes, combed the Egume and Ochaja forests in Dekina Local Government Area.
Explaining further, the statement said the operation followed intelligence on the reported mass abduction of travellers along the major road.
The rescued victims comprised eight men and 13 women.
One male victim sustained a gunshot injury during the incident and was immediately taken to a medical facility for treatment.
The other rescued travellers are being kept in military custody pending their handover to the appropriate authorities.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, commended the troops and other security personnel for their courage and cooperation in securing the victims.
He also urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities.