Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued five kidnapped victims abandoned by fleeing terrorists during ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Kogi State.

The rescue was carried out on Tuesday, June 17, 2026, as troops intensified efforts to consolidate gains recorded from recent coordinated ground and air offensives against terrorist enclaves operating in forested areas of the state.

According to the Army, the operation was part of sustained military actions aimed at dismantling criminal networks linked to notorious terrorist kingpins and restricting their activities within the brigade’s area of responsibility.

The victims were rescued after troops deployed from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oshokoshoko, acting on operational directives, conducted a blocking mission along the Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route in the Adankolo Forest. The deployment followed a recent air interdiction mission targeting a known terrorist hideout in the area.

Military authorities said vigilant troops intercepted the five victims after the terrorists abandoned them while fleeing intense pressure from ongoing military operations against their camps.

Preliminary findings indicated that the victims regained their freedom when the terrorists dispersed in the aftermath of the coordinated kinetic operations targeting their hideouts.

The victims were secured and evacuated from the forest to a safe location for assessment and care.

The Army said the rescued individuals were later transferred to a military medical facility where they received treatment and were stabilised. They were also debriefed to provide intelligence that could support ongoing efforts to track and neutralise remaining terrorists operating within the area.

Efforts are currently underway to reunite the victims with their families after the completion of necessary medical and administrative procedures.

The Army described the successful rescue as further evidence of the effectiveness of ongoing coordinated operations against terrorists and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in Kogi State.

Commander of the 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, commended the troops for their vigilance, resilience and professionalism, noting that the rescue underscored the brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

He reassured residents of Kogi State and neighbouring communities that troops would continue aggressive operations against terrorists and other criminal elements until lasting peace and security are restored.

The commander also urged members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that community cooperation remains crucial to the success of ongoing military operations.