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From Emmanuel Adeyemi,. Lokoja
Troops of 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army under 2 Division have rescued five kidnapped victims abandoned by fleeing bandits during sustained counter-terrorism operations in Kogi State’s forests
Commanding Officer 126 Battalion, Lt. Col. Francis Nwoffiah, disclosed at a press briefing on Wednesday at 12 Brigade Headquarters in Lokoja.
He said the rescue occurred on Tuesday, June 17, when troops from Forward Operating Base Oshokoshoko mounted a blocking mission along the Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route within Adankolo Forest.
Nwoffiah said the ground operation followed air interdiction by helicopter assets provided by the Office of the National Security Adviser, which engaged several bandit camps in Agbede Forest, particularly Danguntu camp in Kabba-Bunu LGA.
“Unable to move with all their captives, they abandoned some of them, which allowed the captives to take advantage and move away,” he said.
Lt. Col. Nwoffiah added that bandit leader Battijo, who held the captives, had been neutralized a few days earlier along with his lieutenant, Issa. Another key bandit, Maidawa, was earlier neutralized in the Isanlu-Esa area.
“We have degraded major criminal networks terrorizing Kogi.
“There is a new team in place, and the Army message to bandits and other criminals is simple: quit or face your Waterloo,” he said.
On behalf of Commander 12 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Kasim Umar Sidi, he assured residents that troops would sustain aggressive operations until all criminal camps are dismantled.
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He said the five victims rescued include Mr John Luna, Farouq Abdullahi, and Eunice Fedrick.
At 12 Brigade Medical Centre, Lokoja, the victims told journalists that they were abducted on June 1 at about 2:30 a.m. from a night bus travelling from Abuja to Lagos.
They said twenty-eight persons were held in the bush for 17 days and forced to herd cattle before helicopter strikes forced the bandits to disperse.
“The security agency came where we were. The bandits dropped us and left because of pressure from the troops,” Luna said, while Fedrick added: “To the glory of God, we survived.”
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government welcomed the rescue as another breakthrough in the offensive against terrorists.
In a statement by Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo, government said the success followed coordinated air and ground missions since operations around Iluke Bunu, which have led to more rescues and destruction of criminal camps.
Fanwo said preliminary accounts showed bandits abandoned captives due to overwhelming military pressure.
Fanwo commended 12 Brigade, NAF, Police, DSS, NSCDC, vigilantes and hunters for professionalism, and appreciated President Bola Tinubu, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, service chiefs and heads of security agencies for support.
Speaking for government, Dr. Austin Ojotule, state epidemiologist representing Commissioner for Health Dr. Abdulazeez Adeiza, said the Ministry of Health had assessed the victims and taken full charge of medical care.
“The state government will cover all health bills until they are fully recovered and reunited with their families,” he said, while commending President Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Ododo for supporting security operations in Kogi.
