Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under the 2 Division, have rescued five kidnapped victims who were abandoned by fleeing terrorists during ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Kogi State.
The rescue was carried out on June 17, 2026, as troops intensified efforts to consolidate recent gains recorded from coordinated ground and air offensives targeting terrorist hideouts in the state’s forested areas. The operation forms part of a sustained military campaign aimed at dismantling criminal networks and denying terrorists freedom of movement within the brigade’s area of responsibility.
According to the military, troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oshokoshoko were deployed on a blocking mission along the Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route in the Adankolo Forest following an air interdiction operation against a known terrorist enclave. During the mission, the troops intercepted five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by their captors while fleeing mounting military pressure.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims regained their freedom after the terrorists dispersed in response to ongoing offensive operations against their camps. The rescued individuals were immediately secured and evacuated to a safe location for further assessment.
The victims were later transferred to a military medical facility, where they received treatment and stabilization. They were also debriefed to provide intelligence that could support ongoing efforts to track down and neutralize remaining terrorist elements operating in the area. Arrangements are underway to reunite them with their families after the completion of necessary medical and administrative procedures.
The Army said the successful rescue underscores the effectiveness of the coordinated operations being conducted by the 12 Brigade against terrorists and other criminal elements in Kogi State, adding that troops remain committed to dismantling all criminal camps and safe havens within the area.
Commander of the 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, commended the troops for their vigilance, resilience and professionalism, describing the rescue as a reflection of the brigade’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
He reassured residents of Kogi State and neighbouring communities that military operations against terrorists and criminal groups would continue until lasting peace and security are restored. The commander also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community support remains vital to the success of ongoing operations.
