Troops rescue 17 abducted travellers after fierce operation near Okene

In a sustained effort to get rid of banditry and other criminal activities in Kogi State, gallant troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army in conjunction with Hybrid Forces and Local Vigilante have successfully rescued 17 kidnap victims, including 13 adults and four children.

A report by security analyst, Zagozola Makama, on Thursday, said the incident occurred on 10 September 2025, when troops deployed at Patrol Base Apata received credible intelligence of a kidnap incident at Opamaru Village along Obajana–Lokoja Road

. The victims, who were travelling in a 17-seater bus from Osun State and headed for Abuja, were intercepted by the criminals before troops swiftly intervened. Without delay, the patrol base reinforced by the Brigade Quick Response Group (QRG) immediately mobilized to the scene.

It was gathered that on arrival, the troops discovered a 17-seater bus abandoned by the roadside, completely empty. Employing field craft, the soldiers swiftly trailed the kidnappers’ footprints to Wuro Village in Adavi Local Government Area, near Okene, where the troops came in contact with the criminals.

“Overpowered by the troops’ superior firepower, the criminals abandoned all 17 kidnapped passengers and fled into the bush with various degrees of gunshot injuries. The rescued victims were immediately evacuated to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre for first aid and stabilization,” the report said.