Troops rescue 21 kidnap victims in Northcentral Nigeria

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (Agency Report) — Troops of the Nigerian Army, working with other security agencies and local security groups, have rescued 21 kidnap victims during a coordinated operation in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State in Nigeria’s northcentral

The rescue operation was carried out on Monday in the Egume and Ochaja forest areas following reports of the abduction of road users along the Alloma-Ejule-Itobe road axis.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, said the rescued victims comprised eight males and 13 females.

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According to him, troops of the 12 Brigade, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters and vigilantes, mobilised from the 21 Battalion after receiving credible intelligence about the incident.

“The joint team subsequently conducted an extensive search of adjoining forests, leading to the successful rescue of all 21 victims,” Abdullahi said.

He added that one of the male victims sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

“The rescued victims are currently in the custody of the troops, pending their handover to the appropriate authorities,” he said.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, commended the troops and personnel of the collaborating security agencies for their courage and effective cooperation during the operation.

Shaibu also praised the local hunters and vigilantes for their contribution to the successful rescue of the victims.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide security agencies with timely and credible information.

According to the Chief of Army Staff, sustained cooperation between the public and security agencies remains critical to ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality across Nigeria.