Nigerian Army troops from the 12 Brigade, working with other security forces, successfully rescued six people who had been kidnapped in Kogi State during an early morning operation on Thursday.
According to Linda Ikeji blog, the rescue mission took place in Obajana after military intelligence pinpointed where the victims were being held.
Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi from Army Public Relations said the joint security team tracked the kidnappers to their forest hideout and engaged them in a firefight.
The kidnappers, outgunned by the security forces, fled with gunshot wounds and left behind their captives, ammunition, and other materials. All six victims were rescued without injuries.
The freed captives had been taken in two separate incidents.
Four people, including Mallam Adamu Zage, the Seriki Fulani of Asinwe community, were kidnapped from their homes in Asinwe community, Okehi Local Government Area, on August 12.
The other two victims had been abducted from Apata community in Lokoja on July 28.
Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, who commands the 12 Brigade and Operation Accord III, commended the troops and partner agencies for their professional conduct.
Through Lieutenant Colonel Francis Nwoffiah of the 126 Battalion, he warned criminals in Kogi and neighboring states to stop their activities or face military action.
The rescued victims – four men and two women – thanked God and the security forces for their freedom.
Speaking for the group, Mallam Zage expressed gratitude and offered prayers for the continued success of the security operations.
The victims have been handed over to authorities for medical examination and care.
Security forces have pledged to intensify operations in the area to prevent criminals from finding safe havens in the region.
