The Kogi State Police Command has rescued two officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and 14 other travellers after security operatives engaged kidnappers in a gun battle along the Itobe-Anyigba Highway.

The victims were abducted on Sunday evening after a Peace Mass Transit bus travelling from Abuja to parts of the South-East was intercepted between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, an identified kidnapping hotspot along the Itobe-Achigili portion of the highway.

The two FRSC officials rescued were CRC I. Ibe and SRC I. K. Ukande.

Other victims were identified as Josephbah, Joshua Daniel, Joy Ogbu, Chigocife Ogbu, Charity Aneebo, Ngozi Stephin, Somaliya Zegu, Chidera Emanuel, Pamela Oraeto, Abakwam Loveth, Chimereze Nekuma, Chibok Nzekwu, Victor Edozi Anyichie and one other traveller.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, said the attack occurred at about 4pm on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

According to him, he immediately ordered the mobilisation of tactical and intelligence units to locate the abductors and rescue the victims.

The rescue operation involved the police, personnel of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes and auxiliary security personnel.

The security teams engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle, forcing some of the criminals to flee.

The police commissioner said several suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the encounter.

However, a vigilante member assisting the security operation was killed, while a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.

Kankarofi said the security operatives eventually closed in on the kidnappers and rescued the victims from their custody.

He said the rescued travellers, including the two FRSC officials, were found safe and were being moved to a secure location.

“Despite the heavy resistance encountered, the operatives closed in on the abductors and rescued all the victims directly from their custody,” the commissioner said.

He added that efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing kidnappers, while other security operations were being conducted at different locations across the state.

The police command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing further attacks and arresting suspected criminals.

Kankarofi said the command remained committed to protecting lives and property and sustaining operations against criminal groups across Kogi State.