Nigerian Army troops killed two suspected kidnappers and recovered two AK-47 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition on Tuesday during a follow-up operation in a forest in Kogi State, the army said.
Soldiers of the 12 Composite Brigade, 5 Division, carried out the operation in Edimogbo Forest in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, a day after raiding a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the same forest, the army said in a statement.
Troops made contact with suspects during Monday’s raid, then returned to the forest to track those who had fled, clear remaining hideouts and deny the group freedom of movement, according to the statement.
During Tuesday’s operation, soldiers again came into contact with fleeing suspects and engaged them, forcing them to withdraw, the army said. Two suspected kidnappers were killed, while the others escaped into the surrounding forest.
A subsequent search of the area yielded two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 438 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition and 4,725 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, the army said. Troops also recovered two bandoliers, two mobile phones and a power bank.
The army did not identify the dead suspects or say whether any troops were wounded. It also did not say whether any kidnapping victims were found at the site. The claims could not be independently verified.
The brigade said the operation consolidated gains from the previous day’s raid and underscored its resolve to keep up pressure on criminal groups in its area of responsibility. Troops continue to dominate the area, and their morale remains high, it said.
“The Nigerian Army reassures the general public, particularly the good people of Kogi State, of its unwavering commitment to sustaining operations against criminal elements,” said Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Composite Brigade, in the statement.
The army said it remains committed to protecting lives and property and restoring lasting peace and security across the state.
