Nigerian Army troops have successfully rescued kidnapped victims in two separate, significant operations conducted in Kogi and Borno states, underscoring the military’s renewed focus on tackling insecurity.
In Kogi State, six individuals held captive in Yagba East Local Government Area were freed. Hassan Abdullahi, spokesperson for the 12 Brigade, confirmed in a statement that the victims were recovered from the Ejiba and Saminaka forests. The rescue was the result of a coordinated air and ground offensive, heavily supported by a police helicopter. The intense military pressure forced the abductors to abandon their captives and flee the area.
Abdullahi noted that five of the rescued persons have already been reunited with their families in the Egbe and Ejiba communities, while the sixth is currently receiving necessary medical attention. He assured the public that troops would maintain dominance over the forests, continuing operations to identify and dismantle hideouts and deny criminal elements any freedom of movement. This success is timely, coming amidst a recent surge in abductions in Kogi, including the disturbing kidnapping of a pastor, his wife, and worshippers in the Ejiba area of Yagba West LGA.
Dramatic Rescue from Boko Haram Captivity
In a related but entirely different theatre of operation, troops under Operation Hadin Kai in the North East successfully rescued twelve victims from the clutches of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. The hostages, comprising seven women and five children, were recovered from the treacherous Mandara Mountains in Borno State.
These victims had been abducted on November 14 while traveling along the Gwoza–Limankara road. The successful recovery came during a pre-dawn offensive involving a combined force of troops from the 26 Task Force Brigade, the 192 Battalion, Brigade Garrison operatives, and critical support from Hybrid Forces, hunters, and local vigilantes.
A military source indicated that the insurgents were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the troops and consequently abandoned the captives. The women were identified as Fadi Musa, Jummai Manga, Hamsatu Musa, Jummai Ali, Inna Amadu, Falmata Musa, and Hadiza Hamman. The source lamented that many of the rescued individuals showed signs of enduring beatings and blisters during their captivity.
Following the rescue, all victims received immediate treatment from field medics before being evacuated to safety. They were subsequently handed over to the representative of the Gwoza Local Government Chairman for the necessary reunification process with their families, as detailed in reports gathered by reports.
