Troops rescue 8 Benin-bound passengers abducted along Okene–Auchi highway

Troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with the police have rescued eight passengers abducted by gunmen along the Okene–Auchi highway in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi state.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on September 26 at Tyre village, when nine armed men dressed in military camouflage intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to a major transportation company in Benin, Edo State.

According to a report by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagozola Makama, the bus, with registration number FUG 13 XY, was conveying 12 passengers from Abuja to Benin, Edo State, when the attackers struck and whisked the passengers into the bush.

The sources told Makama  that the troops and vigilante groups, mobilised to the scene and engaged the hoodlums.

According to sources, four expended 7.62x39mm ammunition were recovered, while eight victims, including the driver, were rescued unhurt.

He added that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining four passengers still in captivity, with security operatives combing the surrounding forest.