Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA/KOGI, NIGERIA — Nigerian Army troops conducting sustained anti‑kidnapping operations in Kogi State have rescued five abducted victims and recovered decomposing bodies during a clearance patrol in Lokoja Local Government Area, military sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
Troops drawn from the Obajana and Kabba patrol bases launched a fighting patrol into Ankomi village in the Adankolo area of Lokoja LGA on the basis of credible intelligence, the source said. When the patrol arrived, they found the village — previously occupied by suspected bandits — destroyed and abandoned.
As the military unit pressed further into the terrain along the river line, they intercepted three women and two children, who preliminary debriefing confirmed were victims of the Ayetoro Kiri kidnapping incident that has drawn widespread attention and outrage across Kogi State.
During the clearance mission, soldiers also discovered two decomposing bodies believed to be of other abducted persons. One of the bodies was evacuated from the scene, while efforts to retrieve additional remains were ongoing, the military source said.
The rescued survivors, comprising the women and children discovered by the patrol, were immediately evacuated and are now receiving medical attention at Fisayo Hospital in Obajana, while the deceased woman has been deposited at St. Joseph Mortuary in Kabba, Kogi State.
Debriefing of the rescued victims is ongoing to help security agencies identify other abductees and strengthen intelligence for follow‑on rescue efforts, the source added. The general security situation in the area was described as calm but unpredictable, reflecting both progress and the persistent threat of kidnappings that continue to plague parts of the North‑Central region.
The clearance operation is part of broader efforts by the Nigerian military and allied security agencies to dismantle criminal hideouts, disrupt bandit lines of communication, and liberate victims from captivity. Analysts say such missions are critical to building momentum against kidnapping networks that exploit forest corridors and remote terrain across Kogi and neighbouring states.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments