Troops of 12 Composite Brigade, 5 Division Nigerian Army, in collaboration with personnel of the Kogi State Vigilance Service (KSVS), have neutralised three suspected kidnappers and recovered four AK-47 rifles and 336 rounds of ammunition during an operation in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Composite Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the operation, conducted on November 4, 2026, followed earlier raids and exploitation operations targeting suspected kidnappers in Edimogbo Forest.
The joint security team extended its search towards Obele Forest in pursuit of fleeing criminal elements.
He said the suspected kidnappers attempted to flee on sighting the advancing troops, resulting in an encounter that left three of them neutralised.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three bandoliers and an identity card.
The Commander, 12 Composite Brigade, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, commended the troops and KSVS personnel for their resilience, professionalism and operational effectiveness. He urged them to sustain the momentum and ensure that criminal elements are denied safe havens within the Brigade’s area of responsibility.
The Army said the operation was part of sustained efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks, deny criminal groups freedom of action and restore public confidence in affected communities. It also urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.
