Thirteen kidnap victims have been rescued by the Kogi State command of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), SP William Ovye Aya disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday evening.
Aya said the rescued victims consist of 11 males and two females.
He said the rescued victims were kidnapped at a Hotel in Eleite Area along Ajaokuta road on March25, 2023 before they were rescued by the operatives of Kogi State Police Command attached to the Quick Response Unit.
The Police spokesperson said the development was sequel to the order by the Commissioner of Police, CP Akeem Yusuf, that efforts must be put in place to ensure all victims are rescued unhurt.
The statement noted, “Today Tuesday 28/3/2023, the Operatives of Quick Response Unit led by the Commander, SP Obafemi Ojo promptly swung into action through credible intelligence and located the kidnappers’ hideout in a forest around Zariagi-Kabba Junction.
“On sighting the police, the hoodlums engaged them in a gun duel. Owing to the superior firepower of the police, the hoodlums were forced to flee with varying degrees of injuries, while 13 kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt. One AK47 magazine containing six rounds of ammunition was recovered from the scene”.
Aya, who said the Commissioner of Police commended the operatives for their bravery and diligence, urged members of the public particularly the adjoining communities to be on the lookout and report any body seen with bullet wounds to the nearest security formation or agencies.
He further enjoins the people of Kogi State to continue to cooperate with the Police and provide credible information on the activities of criminal elements so as to curtail their acts in the state