Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued nine kidnapped victims during a clearance operation at Essalu community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The operation, carried out on Monday night, was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife.
The rescued victims, four males and five females, were abducted from Matoku community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State on September 24, 2025.
They include Abdullahi Umar, 35; Alhaji Umaru Sarki Fawa, 55; Labaran Abubakar, 45; Umar Yanda, 30; Hassana Muhammad, 25; Maryam Muhammad, 27; Aisha Idris, 20; and Zainab Ahmed, 12.
It will be recalled that over the weekend, the GOC personally led troops in the rescue of two other kidnap victims near Babasango Forest and handed them over to the traditional ruler of the area, Oba Pius Oluwole, the Oni Dofin of Idofin, Odoeshe Ayekale in Omu-Aran, Kwara State.
Spokesman for 2 Division, Lt.-Col. Polycarp Okoye, said in a statement on Tuesday that the nine victims revealed they were kidnapped when terrorists raided their village in Patigi, abducting several residents and rustling an unconfirmed number of cattle.
“The victims narrated that the bandits, alarmed by the sustained operations of our troops in the area, became apprehensive and were compelled to abandon them and flee,” Okoye stated.
He added that the victims received first aid and food before being addressed by the GOC and handed over to the Patigi Local Government Authority for reunification with their families.
Maj.-Gen. Nnebeife later visited Lata community in Patigi LGA, where he commended troops of 12 and 22 Brigades for their continued synergy and operational efficiency.
He urged residents to provide credible information that would assist the military in combating insecurity and ensuring the safety of lives and property in the region.
