Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Army has released dramatic footage showing the rescue of a 28‑year‑old kidnap victim in Igbaruku, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, in an operation that left six bandits dead and three others fleeing into the forest. The rescue, which took place on the night of Monday, August 10, 2026, has been hailed as a significant victory for security forces in a region that has seen a surge in abductions.
The victim, identified as Mr Samuel Tope, a native of Igbaruku, was rescued after security operatives moved in on the kidnappers’ hideout. According to information from the rescued victim, six of the bandits were killed in the bush during the operation, while three others managed to escape. The timely arrival of the Nigerian Army forced the kidnappers to abandon their captive and flee as troops engaged them in a fierce gun battle.
The successful rescue highlights the importance of timely military intervention and sustained security operations across vulnerable communities in Yagba West. The Nigerian Army has not yet released a full statement detailing the operation, but the footage, which has been widely shared on social media, shows troops navigating dense forest terrain and securing the victim, who appeared visibly shaken but unharmed. The operation underscores the military’s growing capacity to respond to kidnapping incidents in Kogi State, where bandits have increasingly targeted travellers, farmers and residents.
The Igbaruku rescue comes amid a wave of kidnappings that have plagued Yagba West in recent days. Just a day earlier, on August 9, armed bandits abducted two Hausa residents along the Saminaka Road in Ejiba, bringing the total number of people kidnapped in the area within six days to five. On August 8, bandits abducted a pastor, his wife, and several worshippers from a church in Ejiba, demanding a reduced ransom of N200 million. The frequency of these attacks has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, with residents reporting that economic activities are gradually being suffocated by the constant threat of abduction.
The Nigerian Army’s release of the Igbaruku rescue footage is seen as a strategic move to reassure the public of its commitment to combating kidnapping and restoring security in the region. The military has also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies to support ongoing operations. As the search for the remaining bandits continues, the people of Yagba West are left hoping that the successful rescue of Samuel Tope marks a turning point in the fight against the kidnappers who have terrorised their communities.
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