Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Five kidnap victims have regained their freedom in Kogi State as troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, rescued them during ongoing counter-terrorism operations targeting criminal hideouts in the state.
The rescue followed intensified ground and air offensives conducted under the 2 Division Nigerian Army against terrorist camps located within forested areas of Kogi.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, said the victims were found after terrorists fled from sustained military pressure.
According to him, troops from the Forward Operating Base, Oshokoshoko, were deployed on a blocking mission along the Oshokoshoko-Adankolo route after a recent air interdiction operation against a known terrorist enclave in the 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 said.
The Army explained that preliminary findings indicated the victims regained their freedom after the terrorists dispersed in response to ongoing military operations in the area.
The rescued individuals were subsequently evacuated to a military medical facility, where they received treatment and stabilisation.
“The victims were also debriefed to obtain useful intelligence that could assist ongoing operations aimed at locating and neutralising the remaining terrorists still operating within the general area,” the statement added.
The Army said efforts were ongoing to reunite the victims with their families after completing the necessary medical and administrative procedures.
Commander of the 12 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience, while urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to aid ongoing operations against criminal elements.
