Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under 2 Division, rescued five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by fleeing terrorists during counter-terrorism operations in Kogi State, the Army said on Wednesday.
The rescue was recorded on 17 June 2026 as troops pressed home gains from recent coordinated ground and air operations against terrorist enclaves in forested parts of the state, the Army said in a statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi.
According to the statement, the operation was 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.
Troops deployed from Forward Operating Base Oshokoshoko on a blocking mission along Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route within Adankolo Forest, following the recent air interdiction mission conducted against a known terrorist hideout within the forest, during the operation, intercepted five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists while fleeing from the intense military pressure mounted on their camps.
The Army 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 before being moved to a military medical facility where they received medical attention and stabilization.
The victims 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 successful rescue further highlights the effectiveness of the ongoing coordinated operations being conducted by troops of 12 Brigade against terrorists and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in Kogi State. It also demonstrates the military’s resolve to sustain pressure on criminal groups until all camps and safe havens within the area are dismantled.
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.
