Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued kidnapped victims in Kogi and Borno states.
In Kogi, six kidnapped persons were rescued in Yagba East LGA.
Hassan Abdullahi, spokesperson of the 12 Brigade, in a statement, said the victims were freed from Ejiba and Saminaka forests following coordinated air and ground operations supported by a police helicopter.
He said the captives were abandoned by their abductors due to sustained military pressure.
“Five of the rescued individuals have been reunited with their families in Egbe and Ejiba communities, while the sixth is receiving medical attention,” Abdullahi said.
He added that troops will continue operations to dominate forests and identify hideouts, denying criminals freedom of action.
The rescue comes amid a surge of abductions in Kogi, including the recent kidnapping of a pastor, his wife, and worshippers in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA.
In a related operation, troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued 12 victims, including seven women and five children, from Boko Haram/ISWAP captivity in the Mandara Mountains, Borno State.
The victims had been abducted on November 14 along the Gwoza–Limankara road.
A military source said the pre-dawn offensive involved troops of 26 Task Force Brigade, 192 Battalion, Brigade Garrison operatives, and supporting Hybrid Forces, hunters, and vigilantes.
Overwhelmed by superior firepower, the insurgents abandoned the captives, he said.
“The women were identified as Fadi Musa, Jummai Manga, Hamsatu Musa, Jummai Ali, Inna Amadu, Falmata Musa, and Hadiza Hamman. Many suffered blisters and beatings during captivity,” the source said.
The victims were evacuated to safety, treated by field medics, and handed over to the representative of the Gwoza local government chairman for reunification with families. (NAN)
