The Nigerian Army has announced the rescue of 17 kidnapped victims in Kogi State following a swift operation by troops of 12 Brigade in collaboration with Hybrid Forces and local vigilantes.
According to a statement on Thursday by the Brigade Spokesperson, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the victims included 13 adults and four children. He said the rescue operation, conducted on 10 September 2025, is part of sustained efforts to eradicate banditry and criminal activities in the state.
He explained that troops at Patrol Base Apata received credible intelligence about a kidnapping incident at Opamaru Village along the Obajana–Lokoja Road. The victims, who were travelling in a 17-seater bus from Osun State to Abuja, were intercepted by criminals before soldiers swiftly intervened.
“Without delay, the patrol base, reinforced by the Brigade Quick Response Group (QRG), immediately mobilised to the scene. On arrival, the troops discovered a 17-seater bus abandoned by the roadside, completely empty. Employing fieldcraft, the soldiers swiftly tracked the kidnappers’ footprints to Wuro Village in Adavi Local Government Area, where the troops engaged the criminals. Overpowered by the troops’ superior firepower, the criminals abandoned all 17 kidnapped passengers and fled into the bush with various degrees of gunshot injuries. The rescued victims were immediately evacuated to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre for first aid and stabilisation,” Abdullahi said.
He assured the public of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging citizens to support the military with timely information to aid operations.
In a separate operation, troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP) raided the hideout of suspected cattle rustlers in Plateau State.
The Media Information Officer of JTF OPEP, Major Samson Zhakom, confirmed in a statement that troops arrested two notorious cattle rustlers during an intelligence-based raid at Kogul Village in Mangu Local Government Area on 11 September 2025.
He added that the operation also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, a fabricated revolver rifle, ten rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, one mobile phone, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
“The arrested individuals and the recovered items are currently in military custody for investigation. Troops are also conducting follow-up operations to track down and apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate,” Zhakom said.
He stressed that the arrests mark a major step in addressing the root causes of insecurity, which troops of the Division continue to confront actively.
Linus Aleke
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