Army Overruns Terror Camp in Kogi, Rescues 14 Kidnapped Victims

Troops of the Nigerian Army have intensified security operations in Kogi State, successfully overrunning a terror camp and rescuing 14 kidnapped victims in a coordinated assault along the Lokoja axis.

The operation, carried out by troops of the 12 Brigade, followed sustained offensive actions targeting criminal enclaves within forested areas of the state. According to a credible military source, the breakthrough came after troops stormed Batijjo’s camp located in the Adonkolo/Kakanda Forest, engaging terrorists in a fierce firefight and forcing them to flee the area.

During the raid, soldiers recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition, as well as military and police camouflage, documents and a foreign passport. The recovery is expected to weaken the operational capacity of the criminal network and provide useful intelligence for ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.

Among the rescued victims was a serving Nigerian soldier who had been abducted while travelling from Abeokuta to Zaria. Medical teams attached to the operation stabilised all rescued persons before their evacuation to safety.

In a related follow-up operation at Tajimi, troops ambushed a fleeing terrorist who abandoned his motorcycle while escaping. The motorcycle has since been secured for intelligence analysis. Separately, soldiers also responded swiftly to a kidnapping incident along the Okene–Onyukoko Road, rescuing seven additional victims who managed to escape, while search-and-rescue operations continue for others believed to be held in the area.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, restoring security, and protecting economic and social activities across Kogi State and neighbouring regions.