A combined team of troops from the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, police operatives, DSS personnel, and local vigilantes have rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The joint search-and-rescue operation was carried out on Monday, August 31, 2026, across the Egume and Ochaja forest areas following reports of a mass abduction along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road axis.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, disclosed that the rescued victims comprise eight males and 13 females.
“Unfortunately, one of the male victims sustained a gunshot wound and was promptly evacuated to a medical facility for immediate treatment,” Abdullahi said, adding that arrangements are underway to hand over the victims to relevant state authorities.
Reacting to the successful operation, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, commended the joint forces for their swift response and synergy, while calling on members of the public to provide timely intelligence to assist ongoing anti-kidnapping operations in the region.
