Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 23 passengers who were abducted during a highway attack along the Ayegunle–Bunu road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The Army, in a statement on Monday, said the rescue followed a counter-kidnapping operation launched after a distress call was received at about 3:30 a.m.

According to the statement, suspected armed bandits blocked the highway and abducted passengers travelling along the route before fleeing the scene prior to the arrival of security forces.

“Although the kidnappers had fled before the arrival of security forces, troops swiftly initiated an aggressive pursuit along the criminals’ suspected withdrawal routes,” the Army said.

During a subsequent assessment of the scene, troops recovered two abandoned Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck.

The statement further disclosed that two victims were confirmed dead, while five others sustained injuries and were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital in Kabba, where they are currently receiving treatment.

It added that sustained pressure from pursuing troops forced the abductors to abandon 23 of their captives, who were rescued unharmed.

The Army said operations are ongoing in the area as troops continue search-and-rescue efforts to locate any remaining victims still in captivity.

Earlier, the Kogi State Police Command spokesperson, Saliu Oyiza, had stated that 30 persons—comprising 26 men and four women—were initially reported abducted.