Troops Foil Bandit Attack, Free Kidnap Victim in Kogi Ambush Operation

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade have thwarted a bandit operation and rescued an abducted individual during a coordinated mission around the Oshokoshoko–Obajana axis in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

In a statement released early Wednesday, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations for the Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdulahi, said the intervention was part of sustained efforts to curb banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

According to him, the operation was launched in the early hours of November 25, 2025, after security personnel received credible intelligence that bandits were moving kidnapped victims through the corridor. Troops stationed at the Kabba Patrol Base, working alongside hybrid security units, immediately set up a special ambush to intercept the gang.

The soldiers reportedly made contact with the armed bandits who opened fire, but the troops’ superior firepower forced the criminals to retreat in disarray. One bandit was killed during the exchange, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The operation also resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and the successful rescue of a kidnapped victim. Abdulahi added that pursuit operations were still ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects.

He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and ensuring the safety of communities across Kogi State. Residents, he said, are urged to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing actionable information that could aid rapid response and strengthen the fight against insecurity.

Newsmen recall that troops of the 12 Brigade have remained actively involved in anti-banditry operations across the state. Earlier on November 2, soldiers at the Forward Operating Base in Oguma rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered ransom money intended for their release.