The Nigerian Army has rescued 17 kidnapped passengers in Kogi State following a joint operation by troops of 12 Brigade, Hybrid Forces, and local vigilantes.
Brigade spokesperson, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, said in a statement on Thursday that the victims—13 adults and four children—were freed on September 10 after being abducted at Opamaru Village along the Obajana–Lokoja Road. The passengers, travelling in a 17-seater bus from Osun State to Abuja, were intercepted by armed men before troops intervened.
Abdullahi explained that soldiers at Patrol Base Apata, reinforced by the Brigade Quick Response Group, tracked the kidnappers’ footprints to Wuro Village in Adavi Local Government Area. The criminals abandoned the captives and fled after a gun battle with the troops. The victims were later taken to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre for treatment.
He assured that the Army remains committed to protecting lives and property, and called on citizens to provide timely intelligence to aid military operations.
In a separate operation, troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP) arrested two suspected cattle rustlers in Plateau State.
Media Information Officer, Major Samson Zhakom, said the suspects were captured during an intelligence-led raid at Kogul Village in Mangu Local Government Area on September 11. Troops also recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, a fabricated revolver rifle, 10 rounds of ammunition, a mobile phone, and cash.
Zhakom noted that the arrests represent a significant step toward tackling insecurity in the state, adding that follow-up operations are underway to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
