On Wednesday, security officers in Kogi State rescued three pastors and 13 other victims who had been kidnapped by hoodlums in the state’s Ofu Local Government Area. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the 16 victims, including three pastors, were seized following a crusade in Ejule, Ofu LG. They were released after a state-wide security team intervened. The pastors, who were guest preachers at the crusade, were abducted while on their way to their guest home at the end of the second day of the three-day event. They were attacked by hoodlums approximately 11 p.m. on Monday, January 20, on a street off the Ejule-Anyigba Road.
After being warned, the Nigerian Army rapidly mobilised other security personnel, conducting a two-night hunt until locating the kidnappers in a jungle.
After a two-hour shootout, the kidnappers fled with varied degrees of wounded, abandoning the captives.
On Wednesday, Kogi State Deputy Governor Joel Salifu praised the Nigerian Army and other security services for their gallantry in the rescue operation.
In a statement published by his Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unubi, Salifu expressed his satisfaction that the victims “were safely freed” and praised the security personnel’s efforts.
He further stated that under Governor Ahmed Ododo, Kogi will no longer be a safe haven for criminals, citing the state’s commitment to maintaining security and defending lives and property.
