Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army under 2 Division Nigerian Army have rescued five kidnapped victims who were abandoned by fleeing terrorists during ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Kogi State.
According to an official signed statement by the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the rescue operation was carried out on 17 June 2026 as troops intensified efforts to exploit recent successes recorded through coordinated ground and air operations against terrorist enclaves operating within the state’s forested areas.
The statement noted that the operation formed part of sustained offensive actions aimed at dismantling criminal networks linked to notorious terrorist kingpins and denying the criminals freedom of action within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
Acting on operational directives following a recent air interdiction mission against a known terrorist hideout, troops deployed from Forward Operating Base Oshokoshoko on a blocking mission along the Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route within Adankolo Forest. During the operation, the troops intercepted five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by terrorists fleeing sustained military pressure on their camps.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims regained their freedom after the terrorists dispersed in the aftermath of ongoing kinetic operations targeting their hideouts. The victims were immediately secured and evacuated from the forest to a safe location for further assessment and care.
The rescued individuals were subsequently transferred to a military medical facility, where they received medical attention and stabilization. They were also debriefed to provide intelligence that could support ongoing efforts to track and neutralise the remaining terrorists operating within the area. Arrangements have also commenced to reunite the victims with their families after the completion of necessary medical and administrative procedures.
The Army stated that the successful rescue underscores the effectiveness of ongoing coordinated operations by troops of 12 Brigade against terrorists and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in Kogi State. It further reflects the military’s determination to sustain pressure on criminal groups until all camps and safe havens within the area are dismantled.
Commander 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, commended the troops for their vigilance, resilience and professionalism, describing the successful rescue as a testament to the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property within its Area of Responsibility.
He reassured residents of Kogi State and neighbouring communities that troops would continue aggressive operations against terrorists and other criminal elements until lasting peace and security are restored. Brigadier General Sidi also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to the success of ongoing military operations.
