Nigeria, June 1 -- Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 23 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers on the Ayegunle-Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The passengers were rescued during an operation conducted by the troops in the early hours of Monday.

According to the Nigerian Army Headquarters on its official communication platform, the operation was initiated after troops received a distress call at about 3:30 a.m. reporting that armed men had barricaded the highway and abducted several travellers.

According to the Army, soldiers deployed within the Kabba area immediately mobilised to the scene and commenced a pursuit operation after the attackers fled before security forces arrived.

During an asses...