By Stephen Adeleye.
Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, Kogi State,have rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered ₦3.8 million ransom meant for their release in the State.
This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja by the Brigade Spokesperson, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi.
According to him, the rescue operation was carried out on Sunday in Achigili Forest, along the Itobe,Adumu–Ejule road, by troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Oguma.
Abdullahi said the operation followed credible intelligence about kidnapping activities in the area and reports that relatives of the victims were attempting to deliver ransom to secure their release.
“Acting swiftly on the information, the troops projected a patrol to Achigili Forest to intercept the bandits,” Abdullahi stated.
“While en route to the location, the troops came under fire from the criminals. In the ensuing exchange, the gallant soldiers engaged the bandits with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon the victims along with the ransom money,”he said.
Lt. Hassan Abdullahi added that the criminals fled into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
“Following the encounter, the troops rescued the victims and recovered ₦3.8 million meant as ransom payment.
“The rescued victims were immediately debriefed to aid further operations, while the recovered cash was handed back to them,” the statement said.
The victims, a male and a female, are said to be in safe custody, pending their handover to the appropriate authorities.
Abdullahi reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information that would help in the fight against criminal elements.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
NAN.
