The Nigerian Army has announced the rescue of three kidnapped victims during a series of coordinated operations against bandits in Kogi State.
According to a statement on Sunday by Hassan Abdullahi, acting assistant director of Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, the operations were carried out by troops of Operation Egwua A Tite II between September 1 and September 5, leading to the neutralisation of several bandits and the dismantling of their hideouts across the state.
Abdullahi explained that troops of 126 Battalion, working alongside other hybrid forces, engaged the bandits in a fierce encounter in the Tunga general area where two of the criminals were killed. He noted that the brigade commander and force commander of Operation Accord III, Kasim Sidi, subsequently led an exploitation mission that destroyed multiple camps and settlement areas used by the bandits, while also intensifying ambush and patrol activities in the region.
The Army further disclosed that on September 2, troops acting on intelligence and supported by close air support from the 405 helicopter combat training group launched an airstrike in Ankomi, killing several fleeing bandits. On September 3, clearance operations were conducted in Aleke, Ungwan Soni, and Ungwan Nyaba communities, resulting in the rescue of one Pabo Suleiman and his two children.
During the operations, troops recovered five locally made dane guns from the bandits. The Army emphasised that the actions were part of ongoing efforts to sanitise Kogi State and ensure it remains free from criminal activities.
