Two of the 16 kidnap victims rescued in Kogi State, Ngozi Stephen and Joshua Daniel, have described their nearly 48-hour experience in captivity after being abducted by armed criminals.
The victims were kidnapped on Sunday, August 10, 2026, when gunmen attacked commuters along the Ojuwo–Ajengo–Memarebo and Ojiwo–Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area.
On Tuesday, August 12, 2026, the Nigerian military announced that the victims were rescued during a joint operation involving the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police and local vigilantes along the Ajaokuta–Anyigba road in Ofu LGA.
The Commissioner of Police, Miller Anele, said one local hunter was killed during the rescue operation, while a police officer sustained injuries.
According to her, the rescued victims comprise six male adults, six female adults and four children, and they are currently undergoing medical assessment, documentation and reunification with their families.
Speaking at the Kogi State Police Command headquarters in Lokoja after their release, Ngozi said the kidnappers forced her to act as an interpreter because she could speak Hausa fluently.
She explained that the abductors assigned different ransom amounts to each victim and instructed her to communicate the demands.
According to her, some victims were asked to pay N50 million, N70 million or N100 million, while she herself was asked to produce N70 million.
Ngozi said that when she tried to plead for a reduction, the kidnappers threatened to beat her, adding that other victims were physically assaulted.
She said the abductors confiscated their phones and switched them off, only returning them when they wanted victims to contact relatives for ransom payments.
The rescued victim also said the kidnappers threatened to sell them to ritualists if the ransom was not paid.
Ngozi added that the abductors fled when they heard gunshots from the security operatives, leaving behind a bag containing the victims’ phones and laptops, which were later recovered.
She expressed gratitude that the victims were rescued safely and that many of their belongings were returned.
Joshua Daniel, another rescued victim, said he sustained an injury while attempting to escape shortly after the abduction.
He explained that he ran into a nearby bush, but one of the kidnappers pursued him and attacked him with a knife or cutlass.
Daniel said he raised his hand to protect himself and suffered a deep cut that damaged a vein, causing heavy bleeding throughout the night.
He said the bleeding eventually stopped the next morning after he applied herbs to the wound.
According to Daniel, one of the abductors identified himself as Peter, and the kidnappers communicated in Igala, Fulani and Hausa, apparently to prevent the victims from understanding their discussions.
He thanked the security operatives for rescuing them but expressed sorrow over the death of the local hunter who participated in the operation.
Daniel also said that despite his injury, he assisted in carrying the wounded police officer from the area where they were held captive to the main road, where the victims and injured officer were evacuated.
