Joint Troops Rescue 21 Kidnapped Victims In Kogi Forest
The Nigerian Army has rescued 21 kidnapped victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule-Itobe road in Kogi State.
The victims were rescued on Sunday, August 31, 2026, during a coordinated joint operation by troops of 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, local hunters and vigilante groups.
According to a statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the operation was carried out in the Egume and Ochaja forest areas of Dekina Local Government Area of the state.
He said the operation followed reports of a mass abduction of road users along the Alloma-Ejule-Itobe axis, prompting troops mobilised from Headquarters 21 Battalion, alongside other security agencies and local vigilantes, to launch a coordinated search of the adjoining forests based on credible intelligence.
“During the operation, the joint team successfully rescued all 21 kidnapped victims, comprising 8 males and 13 females, from the Egume and Ochaja forest areas,” Abdullahi said.
He disclosed that one of the male victims sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and was promptly evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
The rescued victims are currently in the custody of the troops, with arrangements being made to hand them over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commended the troops and other security agencies for their courage, cooperation and commitment which led to the successful rescue.
Shaibu urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.
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