The Nigerian Navy has rescued 13 kidnapped persons abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi.

This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, made available on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Folorunsho said that the victims were abducted on Monday, and the Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and vigilantes successfully rescued the 13 kidnap victims.

“The coordinated search and rescue operation was mounted following a reported kidnapping incident.

“During the operation, the joint team encountered resistance from suspected kidnappers. Regrettably, one vigilante personnel member lost his life, while police personnel sustained a gunshot injury and was evacuated for medical attention.

“Security operations have since been intensified in the general area as efforts continue to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects,” he said.

He also said that the rescued victims have been placed under the care of relevant security authorities for screening and necessary assistance.

The director of naval information said that similarly in Rivers State, officers of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny, working with the NDLEA Bonny area command, arrested six suspected drug peddlers during an intelligence-driven operation at Amahausa, Bonny Local Government Area.

He said that the operation led to the recovery of various illicit substances, including 250 tablets of Exol 5, 117 wraps of suspected cannabis sativa, 50 wraps of suspected methamphetamine, 70 wraps of suspected heroin, eight capsules of 100 mg tramadol, three packs of suspected cannabis sativa, and one suspected methamphetamine pipe.

According to him, the two operations underscore the navy’s growing operational impact through intelligence-led action, rapid response, and effective inter-agency cooperation.

“They also demonstrate the service’s commitment to denying criminal elements freedom of action, protecting lives and supporting broader national efforts to strengthen security across Nigeria’s communities and maritime environment,” he said.

(NAN)