RismadarVoice Reporters
September 1, 2026
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in a joint operation with other security agencies, local hunters and vigilante groups, have rescued 21 victims abducted by kidnappers in Kogi State.
The victims were freed during a coordinated operation in the Egume and Ochaja forest areas of Dekina Local Government Area.
The operation followed reports of the mass abduction of road users along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road axis.
Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilante groups, mobilised from the Headquarters of 21 Battalion and launched a search operation across the adjoining forests.
The joint security team successfully 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 treatment.
The rescued victims are currently in the custody of the troops, pending arrangements for their handover to the appropriate authorities.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, commended the troops and other participants in the operation for their courage, cooperation and commitment, which led to the successful rescue mission.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information to support ongoing operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The rescue marks another breakthrough in ongoing security operations targeting criminal groups operating in forests and other remote locations across Kogi State.
