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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Disasters & Emergencies

Joint Operation Rescues 21 Kidnap Victims in Nigeria’s Kogi State

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Nigerian Army troops, police, intelligence personnel, local hunters and vigilantes rescued 21 kidnap victims in Kogi State.
  • The victims, eight men and 13 women, were found in forests near Egume and Ochaja after an operation on Aug. 31, 2026.
  • One male victim sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to a medical facility, while the army prepared to transfer the group to the appropriate authorities.

A joint security operation in Nigeria’s Kogi State has rescued 21 people abducted along the Alloma-Ejule-Itobe road, including eight men and 13 women.

Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade worked with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilante groups. Acting on intelligence about a mass abduction, the team searched forests near Egume and Ochaja in Dekina Local Government Area on Aug. 31, 2026.

The Chief of Army Staff commended the troops, personnel of other security agencies, local hunters and vigilantes for their courage, cooperation and commitment, which led to the successful rescue of the victims.

— Lieutenant General Waidi ShaibuThe army chief praised the participants after the 21 victims were rescued.

The victims were found in the two forest areas and placed in the custody of the troops. One male victim had suffered a gunshot wound and was evacuated for treatment.

Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the chief of army staff, praised the participating forces and local groups for their cooperation. He also urged the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely information as efforts against kidnapping continue.

Members of the public should remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

— Lieutenant General Waidi ShaibuThe army chief called for public cooperation in the fight against kidnapping.
About this summary

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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