Nigerian Army troops under the 12 Brigade in Lokoja have rescued six kidnapped victims during a sweeping joint operation across the Ejiba–Saminaka forest corridor in Yagba East and Yagba West local government areas of Kogi State, the military said on Tuesday.
In a statement, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, described the mission as part of a sustained offensive aimed at “eliminating criminal activities” in the state.
According to him, coordinated air and ground assaults — including a Nigeria Police helicopter — forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives.
“Intensive air and ground offensives by troops yielded results when troops deployed at Patrol Base Ejiba intercepted the victims,” Abdullahi said.
The Army noted that the abductees were released by the bandits after mounting pressure from the combined forces.
Five of the six rescued victims have since been reunited with their families in Egbe and Ejiba communities, officials said. The sixth individual is receiving medical attention due to his weakened condition at the time of rescue.
