From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi State Police Command has successfully rescued 15 victims abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area, following an intense gun battle with their abductors.

The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi while briefing journalists on the development at Command’s Headquarters in Lokoja on Monday, disclosed that the incident occurred at about 4:00 p.

m. on Sunday, 9th August 2026, between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, an identified kidnapping flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili portion of the highway, when a Peace Mass Transit bus was intercepted and its occupants abducted.

The Commissioner told newsmen that he ordered the immediate mobilization of tactical and intelligence assets to locate the abductors and secure the safe rescue of the victims.

According to him “The operation, which was a joint effort involving the Police, military personnel of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, DSS, NSCDC, local Vigilante and auxiliary forces, led to a fierce gun battle with the abductors, during which several of the criminals were neutralised with others fleeing. Tragically, one of the local Vigilante personnel supporting the Police operation was killed in the encounter, while one Police officer sustained gunshot injuries.

“Despite the heavy resistance encountered, the operatives successfully closed in on the abductors and rescued all fifteen (15) victims directly from their custody, including 2 FRSC personnel. The rescued victims comprised 12 adults and three (3) children. They were found safe and unharmed and are currently being moved out of the operational area to safety.

“The rescued victims are: CRC I. Ibe – FRSC personnel, SRC Ik. Ukandu – FRSC personnel, Josephbah, Joshua Daniel, Joy Ogbu, Chigocife Ogbu, Charity Aneebo, Ngozi Stephin, Somaliya Zegu, Chidera Emanuel, Pamela Oraeto, Abakwam Loveth, Chimereze Nekuma, Chibok Nzekwu and Victor Edozi Anyichie

Meanwhile, serious efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors, as the Command continues to sustain tactical and intelligence-driven operations within the area to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. In addition to this operation, three other coordinated security operations are currently ongoing at different locations across the State, as the Command continues its sustained efforts to disrupt criminal activities and protect residents.

The Command urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely, credible information to support ongoing operations against criminal elements. The Kogi State Police Command remains firmly committed to the safety and security of residents, the protection of lives and property, and the sustained disruption of criminal activities across the State.

From Wins Charity, Owerri

The Traditional Ruler of Assa, Obosa-Umuepe Communities Eze Emmanuel Asor has decried insisant attack by Fulani herdsmen for killing, abduction and destruction of farmland in the Communities in Ohaji Egbemna Local Government Area of Imo State.

Asor said that In Abacheke Community Fulani herdsmen on motorcycle fired sporadically Four Confirmed dead, one injured Farmland destroyed, and intimidation heightened in Assa, Obosa-Assa, Umuepe communities

He further stated that Fulani herdsmen with cows have repeatedly invaded farmlands and destroyed cassava, yam, plantain amongst others.

The traditional ruler Eze Emmanuel,Asor said that the little land they have been invaded by Fulani herdsmen and no fewer than,260 Cow grazing in farmlands adding that hunger is imminent because crops were eaten by the Fulani Cow

Eze Asor further said that in Abacheke Community, Gunmen on motorcycles fired sporadically four people confirmed dead on arrival, one person injured and right now Police have deployed tactical teams to the areas.

He highlighting that in Asaa Fulani herdsmen recently killed 1 dead, 9 injure while, five were abducted

Eze disclosed that HURIWA has accused “armed Fulani herders” of “sustained killings” in Imo which is well acknowledge across the State.

He however condemned misinformation and urged the Youths in the Areas to remain calm and he noted that oil companies have took most land, leaving little for farming which is now invaded my Fulani herdsmen

From Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau and Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

Nigeria’s security challenges deepened at the weekend as separate attacks in Zamfara and Enugu states left security personnel dead, civilians abducted, and fresh rescue operations underway.

In Zamfara State, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA foiled an attempted terrorist attack on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Kasuwan Daji in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, killing several attackers and rescuing nine abducted civilians.

However, the operation claimed the lives of one Nigerian Army officer and one police officer, while two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated for treatment.

According to the Nigerian Army, the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the military base around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday under the cover of darkness but were detected and engaged with overwhelming firepower, forcing them to retreat. Reinforcements immediately pursued the fleeing attackers, leading to the rescue of nine civilians who had been abducted from nearby communities.

The Army dismissed reports that six security personnel were killed during the attack, insisting that only one Army officer and one police officer lost their lives. It said troops have since secured the area and are conducting exploitation operations to determine the full extent of the terrorists’ casualties while reaffirming their commitment to sustaining offensive operations against armed groups across the North-West.

Meanwhile, in Enugu State, a joint security team has intensified efforts to rescue two victims abducted during an attack on St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, Affa Community, in Udi Local Government Area.

Police said operatives, working with Forest Guards and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, pursued the fleeing gunmen and succeeded in rescuing one of the abducted victims unharmed, while the attackers escaped with two others.

The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, directed the Area Commander in Oji River, the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, and the State Intelligence Department to deploy all operational and intelligence assets, including the Enugu State Command-and-Control Centre, to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the arrest of the perpetrators.

Although police confirmed that three persons were initially abducted, eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the church during morning service around 8:30 a.m. and abducted a seminarian, the catechist and two other worshippers before fleeing.

Authorities in both states have assured residents that security operations have been intensified to restore safety, rescue those still in captivity, and bring the attackers to justice.