Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued a kidnapped woman and her six-month-old baby following a swift operation in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The rescue was carried out by troops of the 12 Brigade under the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army after suspected terrorists abducted members of a family in Egbe community.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, said the incident occurred late on June 3, 2026, when armed terrorists invaded a residence near Solid Rock School in the Ijalu area of Egbe and abducted five family members.
The victims included a woman, her infant child and three other relatives.
According to Abdullahi, troops immediately mobilised after receiving a distress call and launched a coordinated pursuit operation alongside members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).
“Upon receiving the distress report, troops immediately mobilized in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, launching a pursuit operation along the terrorists’ withdrawal route,” he said.
He explained that the intense pressure mounted by the security team forced the kidnappers to abandon Mrs. Adekemi Idowu and her six-month-old child near the Oro axis before fleeing into nearby bushes.
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“The sustained pressure mounted by the security team forced the terrorists to abandon Mrs. Adekemi Idowu and her six-month-old child near Oro axis before fleeing into the surrounding area,” the statement added.
The rescued mother and child were safely reunited with their family, while troops continued search-and-rescue operations to secure the release of the remaining three victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Abdullahi reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property, noting that security forces have intensified operations against criminal elements across Kogi State.
He also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the state.
The rescue comes amid renewed military operations aimed at flushing out terrorists and other criminal groups operating in parts of North-Central Nigeria.