Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters and vigilante groups, have rescued 21 victims abducted along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road axis in Kogi State.
The joint operation was conducted on Monday, August 31, 2026, following credible intelligence on the abduction of road users. Troops from the 21 Battalion mobilised with personnel from the other security agencies and conducted a coordinated search of the Egume and Ochaja forest areas in Dekina Local Government Area.
The rescued victims comprised eight males and 13 females. However, one of the male victims sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment. The other rescued victims are currently in the custody of the troops, with arrangements underway to hand them over to the appropriate authorities.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, commended the troops and other security personnel, local hunters and vigilantes for their courage and cooperation in securing the victims’ release. He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities.
