By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have rescued 14 kidnapped victims in Kogi State following sustained offensive operations against terrorists hiding in forest enclaves around the Lokoja axis.
A credible military source disclosed on Tuesday that the victims were freed after troops stormed and overran Batijjo’s camp in the Adonkolo/Kakanda Forest. The operation triggered a fierce firefight, forcing the terrorists to flee in disarray.
During the raid, troops recovered weapons, ammunition, military and police camouflage, as well as documents, including a foreign passport. The recoveries have further degraded the operational capacity of the terrorist group.
One of the rescued victims was identified as a serving Nigerian Army soldier who was abducted while travelling from Abeokuta to Zaria. All rescued persons were immediately stabilised by medical teams after the operation.
In a follow-up ambush at Tajimi, troops engaged a fleeing terrorist who abandoned his motorcycle before escaping. The motorcycle was recovered for intelligence exploitation.
The source also revealed that troops swiftly responded to a separate kidnapping incident along the Okene–Onyukoko Road, where seven additional victims were rescued after escaping from their captors. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing to locate and free remaining victims.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its resolve to sustain aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting security across Kogi State and adjoining areas, particularly around Lokoja and its environs.
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