Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army in Kogi State on Wednesday thwarted an armed attack by suspected bandits and rescued a kidnapped victim during a nighttime Kogi troops operation, Okay News reports that the incident occurred along the Oshokoshoko–Obajana corridor in north-central Nigeria.
According to the Nigerian Army, acting through Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Brigade, the Kogi troops operation was launched after credible intelligence indicated that armed bandits were moving abducted persons across the strategic route.
The statement explained that troops from the Kabba Patrol Base, working jointly with hybrid security forces, set up a coordinated ambush under the Kogi troops operation to intercept the criminal group as they advanced with an unverified number of fighters.
The Army said the bandits opened fire immediately on sighting the security team, but sustained gunfire superiority from the Kogi troops operation forced them to retreat in disarray, leaving behind weapons and fleeing with gunshot wounds.
During the engagement, one bandit was neutralised, and soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle as part of the broader Kogi troops operation aimed at degrading armed groups operating within the state.
The rescued victim, found weak and visibly distressed, was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for urgent treatment as the Kogi troops operation continued with pursuit efforts to track fleeing members of the gang.
Military authorities noted that ongoing follow-up actions under the same Kogi troops operation are designed to sustain pressure on criminal networks and prevent further attacks on communities in Lokoja and surrounding areas.
The Nigerian Army encouraged residents to support ongoing security measures by providing timely information that could enhance rapid response and strengthen collective efforts to curb violent crime across the state.
