Nigerian Army Rescues Kidnap Victims, Arrests Terror Courier in Kogi

Troops in Kogi State rescued nine hostages and intercepted a terrorist courier moving 500 rounds of ammo hidden in maize.

Nigerian Army troops displaying recovered ammunition concealed in a bag of maize during an operation in Kogi State.

The Nigerian Army has achieved a major breakthrough in its fight against insurgency in Kogi State. Troops from the 12 Brigade successfully rescued kidnapped victims and intercepted a significant arms shipment intended for terrorist elements.

Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Brigade, confirmed the developments in a statement released to journalists. He disclosed that the first operation focused on the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage, where troops secured the release of the remaining hostages.

The rescued group includes five boys, two girls, and two adult women believed to be wives of the orphanage’s proprietor. Following their rescue, all victims were immediately moved to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre. They received necessary first aid and medical attention to stabilize their condition.

In a simultaneous operation, the Army acted on credible intelligence regarding an arms syndicate operating in the region. Troops set up a surveillance team along the busy Obajana–Lokoja road in Lokoja Local Government Area.

Their vigilance paid off when they intercepted a suspect identified as Yahaya Umar. A search of his vehicle revealed a cleverly concealed stash of weapons. The troops found 500 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition hidden inside a bag of maize, an attempt to evade security checks.

Preliminary investigations suggest Umar is not a mere transporter but a vital logistics courier for terrorists across the North Central states. Under interrogation, the suspect admitted that he received the ammunition at Obajana Forest.

His destination was Dikko Junction in Suleja, Niger State, where he was scheduled to deliver the lethal cargo to a terrorist contact.

The Army has assured the public that the suspect remains in custody. Further interrogation is currently underway. The military aims to use the information gathered to dismantle the wider criminal network and arrest other members of the syndicate.