Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, working with Hybrid Forces and local vigilante groups, have successfully rescued 17 kidnapped victims in Kogi State, security forces have confirmed.
According to a post shared on X by security analyst, Zagazola Makama on Thursday, the victims included 13 adults and four children.
They were intercepted by criminals while travelling in a 17-seater bus from Osun State to Abuja on September 10, 2025, along Obajana–Lokoja Road near Opamaru Village.
“The troops deployed at Patrol Base Apata acted immediately after receiving credible intelligence about the kidnapping.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the bus had been abandoned by the roadside, empty. Using field tracking techniques, the soldiers traced the kidnappers to Wuro Village in Adavi Local Government Area,” Makama wrote.
The criminals, overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower, fled into the bush, leaving behind all 17 hostages, some of whom sustained gunshot injuries.
The rescued victims were taken to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre for first aid and stabilization.
The Nigerian Army said it’s committed to protecting lives and property, urging citizens to continue providing timely information to support ongoing operations against criminal activities.
