Troops of the 12 Composite Brigade of the Nigerian Army have neutralized two suspected kidnappers and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during a follow-up operation in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Composite Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, disclosed the development in an official statement released late Tuesday, November 4, 2026.
According to Lieutenant Abdullahi, the tactical operation was executed on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as a clearance follow-up to an earlier raid conducted on November 2, where troops dismantled an armed kidnapping syndicate’s hideout within the same forest enclave.
During the exploitation patrol, military personnel tracked fleeing members of the syndicate, engaging them in a gun duel that resulted in the neutralization of two suspects while others fled into the bush.
Items recovered during the clearance operation included two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 438 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition, 4,725 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two bandoliers, two mobile phones, and a power bank.
Lieutenant Abdullahi stated that troops are maintaining dominance across the Igalamela/Odolu forest axis in collaboration with the Kogi State Police Command and other security agencies to track down remaining gang members and eradicate kidnapping enclaves in the state.
