Troops overrun terrorist camp, free 14 abductees in Kogi

Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have rescued no fewer than 14 kidnapped victims in Kogi State following sustained offensive operations against terrorists operating within forest enclaves around the Lokoja axis.

A credible military source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that the victims were rescued after troops successfully raided a major terrorist hideout identified as Batijjo’s camp in the Adonkolo/Kakanda Forest.

According to the source, the operation involved a fierce firefight between the troops and the terrorists, leading to the camp being overrun and the criminals fleeing into the forest.

During the operation, troops recovered several items, including weapons, ammunition, military and police camouflage uniforms, as well as documents, one of which was identified as a foreign passport. The recoveries, the source said, further weakened the terrorists’ operational capacity.

One of the rescued victims was identified as a serving Nigerian soldier who was abducted while travelling from Abeokuta to Zaria. All rescued persons were immediately stabilised by military medical personnel.

The source added that in a follow-up ambush at Tajimi, troops engaged a fleeing terrorist who abandoned his motorcycle before escaping. The motorcycle was recovered and will be subjected to intelligence analysis.

“In another swift response, troops also foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Okene–Onyukoko road, rescuing seven victims who had escaped from their abductors. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing to locate other possible victims,” the source said.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its determination to sustain aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting security across Kogi State and neighbouring areas.