Troops from 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lokoja on Wednesday rescued 17 kidnap victims along the Obajana-Lokoja road in Kogi State.
The rescue operation was successfully carried by the troops in collaboration with local vigilante groups.
The victims comprising 13 adults and 4 children were abducted in a commercial bus travelling from Osun State to Abuja, among them is an aide to a member of the National Assembly from Osun State.
The rescue of the victims was confirmed in a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi on Thursday.
The statement indicates that the incident occurred on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, when troops deployed at Patrol Base Apata received credible intelligence of a kidnap incident at Opamaru Village along Obajana–Lokoja Road. The victims, who were travelling in a 17-seater bus from Osun State and headed for Abuja, were intercepted by the criminals before troops swiftly intervened. Without delay, the patrol base reinforced by the Brigade Quick Response Group (QRG) immediately mobilized to the scene
Narrating the gallant efforts of the troops, the statement states that “On arrival, the troops discovered a 17-seater bus abandoned by the roadside, completely empty. Employing field craft, the soldiers swiftly trailed the kidnappers’ footprints to Wuro Village in Adavi Local Government Area, where the troops came in contact with the criminals.”
“Overpowered by the troops’ superior firepower, the criminals abandoned all 17 kidnapped passengers and fled into the bush with various degrees of gunshot injuries. The rescued victims were immediately evacuated to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre for first aid and stabilization.
