Nigerian Army, Police Rescue 21 Kidnap Victims from Forests in Kogi

By Emmanuel Kwada

Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters and vigilante groups, have rescued 21 victims abducted along a major road corridor in Kogi State.

The victims were rescued on August 31, 2026, following a coordinated security operation in the Egume and Ochaja forest areas of Dekina Local Government Area.

The operation was launched after security agencies received reports of the mass abduction of road users along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road axis.

Acting on what the military described as credible intelligence, troops and other security personnel mobilised from the Headquarters of 21 Battalion and conducted an extensive search of the adjoining forests.

After combing the area, the joint team located and rescued all 21 victims, comprising eight males and 13 females.

However, one of the male victims sustained a gunshot injury during the incident and was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for urgent treatment.

The rescued victims remain in the custody of the troops, with arrangements underway to transfer them to the appropriate authorities for further assistance and necessary procedures.

The successful operation has been welcomed as a significant intervention in efforts to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities along the affected road corridor.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, commended the troops and personnel of the other participating security agencies, as well as the local hunters and vigilantes, for their courage, coordination and commitment to the rescue operation.

Shaibu also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist ongoing operations against kidnappers and other criminal elements.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to working with other security agencies and local communities to protect lives and property and restore security across areas affected by criminal activities.

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