Kogi: Troops kill three kidnappers, recover four AK-47 rifles

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Kogi State Vigilance Service, have neutralised three suspected kidnappers and recovered four AK-47 rifles, 336 rounds of ammunition and other military equipment during an operation in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The operation, conducted on Wednesday, November 4, followed earlier raids and search operations targeting suspected kidnapping networks operating in Edimogbo Forest and surrounding communities.

The troops, drawn from the 12 Composite Brigade under the newly established 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, extended their operation from Edimogbo Forest towards the Obele Forest area in pursuit of fleeing criminal suspects.

According to the Army, the joint security team made contact with the suspected kidnappers during the operation. The suspects reportedly attempted to escape after sighting the advancing troops, resulting in an encounter in which three of them were killed.

A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three bandoliers and an identity card.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 12 Composite Brigade.

Abdullahi said the operation was part of sustained efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks and deny criminal groups safe havens in Kogi State.

He explained that the military had continued to intensify offensive operations, intelligence-driven patrols and searches of identified criminal hideouts to disrupt the activities of kidnappers.

According to him, maintaining security dominance in the affected areas is also aimed at restricting the movement of criminal elements and restoring residents’ confidence.

The Commander of the 12 Composite Brigade, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, commended the troops and personnel of the Kogi State Vigilance Service for their resilience, professionalism and effectiveness during the operation.

Sidi urged the personnel to sustain the operational momentum and remain vigilant in preventing criminal groups from establishing safe havens within the brigade’s area of responsibility.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property in Kogi State and neighbouring communities.

It also appealed to residents to support ongoing security operations by providing credible and timely information to security agencies to assist efforts to identify and dismantle criminal networks.