Army rescues five kidnapping victims during Kogi forest operation

By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja

The 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, operating under the 2 Division, rescued five individuals who had been kidnapped and abandoned by fleeing bandits during ongoing counter‑terrorism operations in the forested areas of Kogi State.

Lt. Col. Francis Nwoffiah, Commanding Officer of 126 Battalion, announced the operation on Wednesday at the 12 Brigade Headquarters in Lokoja.

He said the rescue took place on Tuesday, 17 June, when troops from the Forward Operating Base at Oshokoshoko conducted a blocking operation along the Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route within the Adankolo Forest.

According to Nwoffiah, the ground operation was preceded by air interdiction missions carried out by helicopter assets supplied by the Office of the National Security Adviser. These missions targeted several bandit camps in Agbede Forest, including the Danguntu camp in Kabba‑Bunu Local Government Area.

Nwoffiah added that sustained military pressure forced the bandits to abandon some of their captives. “Unable to move with all their captives, they abandoned some of them, which allowed the captives to take advantage and move away,” he said.

He also noted that notorious bandit leaders such as Battijo and his lieutenant Issa had been neutralised in earlier operations, while another suspect, Maidawa, was killed in the Isanlu‑Esa area.

Nwoffiah said the military had significantly degraded criminal networks operating in the state and that operations would continue until all bandit camps were dismantled. “There is a new team in place, and the Army message to bandits is simple: quit or face your Waterloo,” he warned.

The rescued victims include John Luna, Farouq Abdullahi, and Eunice Fedrick, among others. They are currently receiving medical care at the 12 Brigade Medical Centre in Lokoja.

The victims said they were abducted on 1 June at about 2:30 a.m. while travelling on a night bus from Abuja to Lagos. They reported that about 28 passengers were held in the forest for 17 days and forced to herd cattle until military airstrikes forced the bandits to flee.

“The security agency came where we were. The bandits dropped us and left because of pressure from the troops,” Luna said. Fedrick added, “To the glory of God, we survived.”

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government described the rescue as a major breakthrough in its ongoing operations against criminal groups. In a statement, Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo said the success followed coordinated air and ground operations across several locations, including Iluke Bunu, which had led to multiple rescues and the destruction of bandit camps.

He commended the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Police, DSS, NSCDC, vigilantes, and hunters for their efforts, and thanked President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and security chiefs for their support.

The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Austin Ojotule, who represented the Commissioner for Health, said the victims had been assessed and placed under full medical care. He added that the state government would cover all medical expenses until the victims fully recover and are reunited with their families.

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