Troops rescue five kidnap victims in Kogi as terrorists flee

Soldiers of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have successfully freed five kidnapped individuals in Kogi State after the terrorists left them behind in their bid to escape from military activities being carried out against them in the same location.

The rescue came amid increased joint ground and air attack by the military against the hideouts of the terror groups in the forests within the same state. The development came in a statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi.

According to Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, this military exercise was part of an on-going effort to frustrate the criminals.

The statement read, “Acting on operational directives and following the recent air interdiction mission conducted against a known terrorist hideout within the forest, troops deployed from Forward Operating Base Oshokoshoko on a blocking mission along Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route within Adankolo Forest.

“During the operation, vigilant troops intercepted five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists while fleeing from the intense military pressure mounted on their camps.

“Preliminary findings revealed that the victims had regained their freedom after the terrorists were forced to disperse in the aftermath of the ongoing kinetic operations targeting their hideouts.”

The Army said the rescued persons were immediately evacuated to a safe location for medical attention and further assessment.

“Subsequently, the rescued victims were moved to a military medical facility where they received medical attention and stabilisation.

“The victims were also debriefed to obtain useful intelligence that could assist ongoing operations aimed at locating and neutralising the remaining terrorists still operating within the general area,” it stated.

The statement added that efforts were underway to reunite the victims with their families after completion of medical and administrative procedures.

The Commander of 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Kasim Sidi, commended the troops for their “vigilance, resilience, and professionalism.”

He also urged residents to support ongoing military operations with credible intelligence, noting that public cooperation remains critical to defeating criminal elements in the state.