Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army under 2 Division Nigerian Army have successfully intercepted and rescued five kidnapped victims abandoned by fleeing terrorists during ongoing counter terrorism operations in Kogi State.
A statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Hassan Abdullahi, said the feat was recorded on Wednesday as troops intensified efforts to exploit the successes achieved from recent coordinated ground and air operations against terrorist enclaves operating within the state’s forested areas.
He said the operation formed part of sustained offensive actions aimed at dismantling the criminal networks of notorious terrorist kingpins and denying the criminals freedom of action within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
“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,” the statement read.
The army spokesperson said 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 victims were immediately secured by the troops and evacuated from the forest to a safe location for further assessment and care.
Subsequently, the rescued victims were moved to a military medical facility where they received medical attention and stabilization. The victims were also debriefed to obtain useful intelligence that could assist ongoing operations aimed at locating and neutralizing the remaining terrorists still operating within the general area. Efforts have equally been initiated to reunite the victims with their respective families after completion of necessary administrative and medical procedures.
The Commander 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, commended the troops for their vigilance, resilience and professionalism which led to the successful interception and rescue of the victims.
He noted that the achievement was a testament to the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property within its Area of Responsibility.
The Commander reassured residents of Kogi State and adjoining communities that troops will continue to sustain aggressive operations against terrorists and other criminal elements until lasting peace and security are fully restored.
He further urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, emphasizing that public support remains critical to the success of ongoing military operations.
