Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja/Kaduna, Nigeria — The Nigerian Army has successfully rescued eleven (11) kidnapped Nigerians during a late-night operation on 26 January 2026 along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway corridor, military sources confirmed, marking a significant operational success in the ongoing fight against kidnappers and armed criminals in the region.
According to the Nigerian Army, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Doka detected the movement of armed terrorists attempting to transfer their captives through a bush track between Gidan Duna and Amale communities in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State under the cover of darkness. The troops, supported by surveillance technology including long-range CCTV monitoring, immediately initiated a coordinated interception operation, forcing the criminals to abandon their captives and flee into nearby scrubland.
The 11 rescued victims included five adult males, three adult females and three children, all of whom had been held in captivity for 92 days after being abducted from Gada Mallam Maman community on 26 October 2025, military officials said. The successful extraction prevented the detainees from being moved further into isolated areas and brought them to safety, where they were reunited with their families following preliminary care.
The operation underscores the increasing use of technology and timely intelligence in Nigeria’s counter-kidnapping campaigns, particularly along the Abuja–Kaduna Expressway, a notorious corridor known for frequent kidnappings and criminal ambushes. The expressway has long been identified as a high-risk route for travellers and motorists due to its vulnerability to bandit and terrorist activity, which security forces have prioritized through sustained patrols and strategic deployments.
Army officials highlighted that the interception was made possible by constant vigilance and the integration of surveillance systems with agile ground forces capable of rapid response. On spotting the illegal movement of captives, tactical units in vehicles and on motorcycles mobilised immediately to cut off the escape route, compelling the criminals to release the hostages and retreat into the bush without further confrontation.
The rescue adds to recent military efforts to suppress armed criminal networks and enhance public safety across volatile regions. It follows a series of coordinated operations by the defence forces that have resulted in the disruption of criminal enclaves, recovery of abducted individuals and recovery of weapons, as part of a broader strategy to deny freedom of movement and refuge to terrorists and bandits.
Security analysts say the Kaduna–Abuja axis remains a focal point for kidnapping and ransom operations due to its heavy use by commuters and commercial transporters and its proximity to forested hideouts favoured by armed groups. The success of this latest operation highlights ongoing improvements in surveillance, intelligence sharing and force readiness aimed at reducing the prevalence of abductions along key road corridors.
While details on subsequent follow-up missions have not been disclosed, military authorities indicate that patrols and intelligence-driven activities will continue in the area to locate and neutralise fleeing suspects and further degrade criminal capabilities. The rescued victims’ families, still coping with the trauma of extended captivity, have welcomed their release and called for sustained security efforts to protect communities along major transit routes.
The successful rescue serves as a reminder of the Nigerian Army’s operational commitment to safeguarding lives and securing critical infrastructure in areas affected by longstanding insurgency and criminal violence, even as challenges persist across different geographic theatres of insecurity.
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