Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division Nigerian Army, have successfully intercepted and rescued five kidnapped victims who were abandoned by fleeing terrorists during ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Kogi State.
Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, disclosed this in a statement on 17 June 2026. The feat was recorded as troops intensified efforts to exploit successes achieved from recent coordinated ground and air operations against terrorist enclaves within the state's forested areas.
“The operation formed part of sustained offensive actions aimed at dismantling the criminal networks of notorious terrorist kingpins and denying the criminals freedom of action within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility,” the statement read.
Acting on operational directives and following a recent air interdiction mission against a known terrorist hideout in the forest, troops deployed from Forward Operating Base Oshokoshoko on a blocking mission along the Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route within Adankolo Forest.
During the operation, vigilant troops intercepted five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists while fleeing from the intense military pressure on their camps. Preliminary findings revealed that the victims regained their freedom after the terrorists were forced to disperse in the aftermath of kinetic operations targeting their hideouts.
The victims were immediately secured by the troops and evacuated from the forest to a safe location for further assessment and care. Subsequently, they were moved to a military medical facility where they received medical attention and stabilization. The victims were also debriefed to obtain useful intelligence to assist ongoing operations aimed at locating and neutralizing remaining terrorists in the area.
Efforts have been initiated to reunite the victims with their families after completion of necessary administrative and medical procedures. The successful rescue further highlights the effectiveness of coordinated operations by troops of 12 Brigade against terrorists and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in Kogi State. It also demonstrates the military’s resolve to sustain pressure on criminal groups until all camps and safe havens are dismantled.
The Commander of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, commended the troops for their vigilance, resilience, and professionalism, which led to the successful interception and rescue. He noted that the achievement was a testament to the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property within its Area of Responsibility.
The Commander reassured residents of Kogi State and adjoining communities that troops will continue to sustain aggressive operations against terrorists and other criminal elements until lasting peace and security are fully restored. He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, emphasizing that public support remains critical to the success of ongoing military operations.
