Security forces have rescued 15 National Youth Service Corps members and six other abducted persons from kidnappers in Egume Forest, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Kankarofi, disclosed this on Tuesday, explaining that the rescue followed an immediate search-and-rescue operation after security agencies received an alert.

He said military and police personnel, operatives of the Department of State Services, local vigilantes and hunters participated in the operation.

According to him, the involvement of local hunters and vigilantes was crucial because of their knowledge of the terrain.

Kankarofi said the operation was intensified after security forces narrowed down the location of the abductors to a particular area in the forest.

He said the operation culminated in a gun battle at the kidnappers’ camp on Monday afternoon, during which the victims were rescued.

The commissioner said two of the rescued persons, including one corps member and a civilian abducted from another vehicle, sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire.

He said the corps members were travelling from Bayelsa when they were attacked after entering Kogi State along the Itobe-Ajaokuta Highway.

According to him, the victims were abducted alongside passengers travelling in another vehicle from the opposite direction.

Kankarofi disclosed that four suspected kidnappers were killed during the gun battle, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

He said security forces remained in the area to track the fleeing suspects and arrest them.

The police commissioner added that the Kogi Command had contacted the neighbouring Enugu State Command to block possible escape routes into the state.

He urged residents and travellers to remain calm, describing the incident as an isolated case.

Kankarofi assured travellers that Kogi remained generally peaceful and that security personnel were present across the state to respond to security threats.