The Nigerian Army has rescued 23 kidnapped travellers following a swift counter-kidnapping operation launched after an attack along a major highway.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Army said troops responded to a distress call received around 3:30 a.m., prompting an immediate deployment to the affected area.
According to the military, the armed kidnappers had blocked the road and abducted several travellers before security personnel arrived at the scene.
Although the assailants had fled before troops got there, soldiers quickly launched a pursuit operation along routes believed to have been used by the criminals to escape.
During a subsequent assessment of the area, troops recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned by the roadside.
The Army disclosed that sustained pressure from the advancing troops forced the kidnappers to release 23 hostages, all of whom were rescued unharmed.
However, the incident claimed the lives of two victims, while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
The military added that troops remain deployed in the area and are continuing intensive search-and-rescue efforts to locate and secure the freedom of any victims who may still be in captivity.
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