In its sustained operations against criminal elements, troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued nine kidnapped victims during a night patrol along Egbe – Okuran in Kogi State, and Okoloke through Patigi in Kwara State.
The operation, carried out on Monday night, was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife.
The rescued victims, four males and five females, were abducted from Matoku community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State on September 24, 2025.
They include Abdullahi Umar, 35; Alhaji Umaru Sarki Fawa, 55; Labaran Abubakar, 45; Umar Yanda, 30; Hassana Muhammad, 25; Maryam Muhammad, 27; Aisha Idris, 20; and Zainab Ahmed, 12.
Spokesman of 2 Division, Lt.-Col. Polycarp Okoye, who revealed this in a statement on Tuesday, said on interrogation, the victims revealed that about 3 weeks ago, terrorists raided their village, Matoku, in Patigi LGA of Kwara State, and kidnapped several persons.
It was also disclosed that the criminals rustled unconfirmed number of cattle.
The victims further narrated that the bandits who took them suddenly became apprehensive, resulting from own troops sustained operations in the area. Consequently, they (terrorists) were compelled by circumstances to abandon them and flee.
The milestone achievement was as a result of the continued extensive clearance operations by troops of 2 Division/Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMMA around Isanlu Esa, Patigi, Babasango, Etsuyum, and adjoining communities of Kogi and Kwara States.
