~Godwin Orozo
Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued two kidnap victims, including a six-month-old baby, following a swift response to a kidnapping incident in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The victims were freed after troops, working alongside members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), launched a pursuit operation against suspected terrorists who had abducted five members of a family in Egbe.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the incident occurred late on June 3, 2026, when armed terrorists stormed a residence near Solid Rock School in the Ijalu area of Egbe and abducted five family members.
The abducted victims included a woman identified as Mrs. Adekemi Idowu, her infant child, and three other relatives.
Abdullahi said troops immediately mobilised after receiving a distress call and pursued the kidnappers along their escape route in collaboration with local vigilantes.
“Upon receiving the distress report, troops immediately mobilized in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), launching a pursuit operation along the terrorists’ withdrawal route,” he stated.
He added that the sustained pressure mounted by the security team forced the kidnappers to abandon Mrs. Idowu and her six-month-old child near the Oro axis before fleeing into the surrounding area.
“The sustained pressure mounted by the security team forced the terrorists to abandon Mrs. Adekemi Idowu and her six-month-old child near Oro axis before fleeing into the surrounding area,” the statement said.
The rescued mother and child were safely reunited with their family, while troops have intensified search operations to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the country and called on residents to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to protecting lives and property and urges members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations,” Abdullahi added.
