Five kidnapped victims have been rescued by troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, following coordinated military operations targeting terrorist hideouts in Kogi State. Security sources said the victims were abandoned by their captors while fleeing sustained air and ground offensives conducted in the Adankolo Forest axis.

Five kidnapped victims have regained their freedom following ongoing military operations against terrorist and criminal elements operating within parts of Kogi State.

According to security sources, troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army Lokoja, operating under the 2 Division, rescued the victims on June 17, 2026, during a blocking operation conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oshokoshoko along the Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route within Adankolo Forest.

The rescue operation reportedly followed recent coordinated air and ground offensives targeting suspected terrorist camps and criminal hideouts in the forest area. The sustained military pressure is said to have forced the armed groups to retreat, abandoning the kidnapped victims in the process.

Security sources disclosed that the victims were evacuated from the forest and taken to a military medical facility, where they received immediate medical attention. They were subsequently debriefed by security personnel as part of ongoing intelligence-gathering efforts.

Military authorities indicated that operations remain ongoing to locate and neutralise remaining terrorist elements believed to be operating within the forest and surrounding communities.
The development represents another operational success in ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb kidnapping and violent criminal activities across parts of Kogi State and adjoining areas.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the rescued victims, and further details regarding the circumstances of their abduction remain unavailable as of the time of reporting.