Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have rescued two kidnap victims and recovered ₦3.8 million ransom money during an operation in Kogi State.
In a statement on Sunday, Hassan Abdullahi, acting assistant director of army public relations for the brigade, said the operation was conducted by soldiers deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Oguma area of the state.
Abdullahi explained that the rescue followed credible intelligence reports of kidnapping activities along the Itobe–Adumu–Ejule axis.
“In a sustained effort to rid Kogi State of criminal activities, troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oguma have successfully rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered the ransom money meant for their release,” the statement reads.
He said the troops intercepted the kidnappers inside Achigili Forest while responding to information that relatives of the victims were on their way to deliver ransom payments.
The statement added that the soldiers came under fire but outmatched the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee the scene with gunshot wounds and abandon the two victims.
Abdullahi urged residents to continue providing reliable information to aid security efforts in the state.
“Following the encounter, the troops rescued the victims and recovered the sum of ₦3,800,000 (three million, eight hundred thousand naira) intended for ransom payment,” Abdullahi said.
“The rescued victims were immediately debriefed to aid further operations, while the recovered cash was handed back to them.”