Nigerian troops have rescued five kidnap victims in Kogi State after their captors abandoned them while fleeing sustained military operations targeting criminal hideouts in the area, the army said on Wednesday.
Rescue Operation Details
The victims, four men and one woman, were intercepted by troops of the Forward Operating Base Oshokoshoko during a blocking operation along the Oshokoshoko-Adankolo route in Adankolo Forest on Tuesday. According to Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, acting assistant director of army public relations for the 12 Brigade, the victims were left behind by kidnappers who came under pressure from coordinated ground and air offensives against camps in the forest.
“Vigilant troops intercepted five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists while fleeing from the intense military pressure mounted on their camps,” Abdullahi said in a statement.
Military Offensive Background
The rescue followed recent air interdiction missions targeting suspected criminal enclaves as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt kidnapping networks and restrict the movement of armed groups operating in the region. The army said the victims were evacuated to a military medical facility in Lokoja, where they received treatment and underwent debriefing before arrangements were made for their reunion with family members.
Among those rescued were John Luna, Farouq Abdullahi and Eunice Fedrick, according to the military. Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, commander of the 12 Brigade, commended the troops for their conduct during the operation and called on residents to continue sharing information with security agencies to support efforts against criminal groups.
Security Challenges in Nigeria
Kidnapping for ransom remains a major security challenge across parts of Nigeria, particularly in the north-central and north-western regions, where armed gangs frequently target motorists, farmers and rural communities. Kogi State has faced recurring incidents of abduction, with criminal groups taking advantage of dense forests and difficult terrain to establish hideouts and evade security forces.
The latest rescue comes amid intensified military operations across several states aimed at tackling banditry, kidnapping and other organised crimes. Authorities say joint ground and air operations have increased pressure on criminal networks, although security experts note that vast forested areas continue to pose challenges to enforcement efforts.
Unverified claims later emerged on social media suggesting that ransom payments may have played a role in securing the release of some victims. The military had not publicly responded to the allegations as of Wednesday.
