Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade have rescued 17 kidnapped victims during a joint operation with Hybrid Forces and local vigilantes in Kogi State.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the rescue took place on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 after troops deployed at Patrol Base Apata received credible intelligence about an abduction at Opamaru Village along the Obajana–Lokoja Road.
The statement further revealed that, the victims 13 adults and four children were travelling in a 17-seater bus from Osun State to Abuja when they were intercepted by armed criminals.
Troops immediately mobilised, and on arrival at the scene, found the bus abandoned and empty.
The soldiers tracked the kidnappers’ movements through footprints, leading them to Wuro Village in Adavi Local Government Area, where they engaged the criminals.
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Outgunned, the abductors abandoned their captives and fled into the bush with gunshot injuries.
The rescued passengers were taken to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre for first aid and stabilisation.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and called on the public to continue providing timely intelligence to support ongoing operations against banditry and other crimes in the state.
