RismadarVoice Reporters, June 17, 2026
Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating under the 2 Division Nigerian Army, have rescued five kidnapped victims abandoned by fleeing terrorists during ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Kogi State.
The rescue operation was carried out on June 17, 2026, as troops intensified offensive actions aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and criminal networks operating within the state’s forested areas.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the operation followed recent coordinated ground and air assaults targeting terrorist hideouts in the area.
The Army said troops deployed from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oshokoshoko on a blocking mission along the Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route within the Adankolo Forest after an air interdiction mission was conducted against a known terrorist camp.
During the operation, vigilant troops intercepted five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists while fleeing sustained military pressure on their camps.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims regained their freedom after the terrorists dispersed in the wake of ongoing military offensives targeting their hideouts.
The victims were immediately secured and evacuated from the forest to a safe location for further assessment and care.
The Army disclosed that the rescued individuals were subsequently taken to a military medical facility, where they received medical treatment and stabilisation.
Military authorities also debriefed the victims to obtain intelligence that could support ongoing operations aimed at locating and neutralising other terrorists still operating within the general area.
Efforts are currently underway to reunite the victims with their families after the completion of necessary medical and administrative procedures.
The military described the rescue as another indication of the effectiveness of ongoing coordinated operations against terrorists and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in Kogi State.
Commander of the 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, commended the troops for their vigilance, resilience and professionalism, describing the successful rescue as evidence of the Brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
He reassured residents of Kogi State and neighbouring communities that troops would sustain aggressive operations against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements until lasting peace and security are restored.
The Brigade Commander also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community support remains vital to the success of ongoing military operations.
The latest rescue comes amid intensified military operations across several parts of the country aimed at degrading terrorist and criminal networks and enhancing security for citizens.
