Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have successfully rescued 14 kidnapping victims in Kogi State, following intensified operations against terrorists hiding in forested areas around the Lokoja axis.
A credible military source told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday that the breakthrough came after troops launched a decisive assault on Batijjo’s camp in the Adonkolo/Kakanda Forest.
“The rescue followed a successful assault on Batijjo’s camp,” the source said, explaining that the troops engaged the terrorists in a firefight and overran the camp, forcing the criminals to flee.
He added that the troops recovered weapons, ammunition, military and police camouflage, as well as documents, including a foreign passport, during the operation, significantly weakening the terrorists’ operational capability.
“One of the rescued victims was identified as a serving soldier abducted while travelling from Abeokuta to Zaria, while all rescued persons were stabilised by medical teams,” he said.
The source also noted that in a follow-up ambush at Tajimi, troops confronted a fleeing terrorist who abandoned his motorcycle before escaping. “The motorcycle was recovered for intelligence exploitation,” he added.
Troops further responded promptly to a kidnapping incident along the Okene–Onyukoko road, rescuing seven escapees, while search-and-rescue efforts continue for other missing victims.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring security across Kogi and neighbouring areas.
