ANYIGBA, Nigeria — Thirteen people, including a pastor and an evangelist, have been rescued after spending two weeks in captivity following a joint security operation in central Nigeria.
The victims were intercepted by a gang on 26 April while travelling from Calabar, Cross River State, to the capital, Abuja, for a religious programme. They were held in a forest area in Egume, Kogi State, before being freed in the early hours of Saturday.
The rescue was carried out by a combined force of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) Anti-Kidnapping Squad, their Kogi State counterparts, and the Nigeria Police Force.
The ‘Evil Spirit’ Raid
In a statement released on Tuesday, the VGN Commander, Idris Girinya, confirmed that the tactical team struck the kidnappers’ hideout at approximately 04:00 local time on 9 May.
The operation was led by Suleiman Abiodun, a prominent vigilante leader from the Kubwa area of Abuja, popularly known by the alias “Evil Spirit.” The statement identified the rescued group as:
- Pastor Victor Edet Okon and Mercy Victor Okon.
- Evangelist Perfect Bomba and Bassey Bassey Ekpenyong.
- Nine others, including women and children.
Ransom and Arrests
Authorities have not yet confirmed if any arrests were made during the dawn raid or if the kidnappers fled into the surrounding bush.
Importantly, the authorities haven’t revealed if any ransom was paid before the operation. The victims are now being checked by medical staff before reuniting with their families.
Highway Insecurity
The successful rescue comes amid a surge in abductions along Nigeria’s major interstate highways.
Kogi State, which serves as a vital transit hub connecting the south of the country to the north and the capital, has become a frequent flashpoint for kidnapping syndicates. Security agencies are increasingly relying on local vigilante groups—who often possess superior knowledge of the local terrain—to bolster overstretched police and military units.
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