Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, have rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered ₦3.8 million ransom allegedly meant for their release.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, on Monday in Lokoja.
Abdullahi said the victims, a man and a woman, were rescued on Sunday in Achigili Forest along the Itobe–Adumu–Ejule road by troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oguma.
He explained that the rescue followed credible intelligence about kidnapping activities along the axis and reports that relatives of the victims were about to deliver ransom to the abductors.
“Acting swiftly on the information, troops launched a patrol to the Achigili Forest to intercept the criminals. On their way, the soldiers came under fire from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the forest with gunshot injuries,” he said.
According to Abdullahi, the troops recovered ₦3.8 million meant as ransom payment and immediately debriefed the rescued victims to aid further operations.
He added that the victims were in safe custody and would be handed over to the appropriate authorities.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to continue supporting the military with timely and credible information to combat criminal activities across the state.