Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued five people who were abducted by suspected kidnappers during an ongoing anti-kidnapping operation in Kogi State. The operation, carried out in Lokoja Local Government Area, also led to the discovery of decomposing bodies believed to be victims of earlier abductions.
A credible military source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that soldiers drawn from the Obajana and Kabba patrol bases acted on intelligence and moved into Ankomi village in the Adankolo axis of Lokoja. On arrival, the troops found the village deserted and largely destroyed, indicating it had previously been occupied by bandits.
During further search along a nearby river line, the soldiers intercepted three women and two children. Preliminary questioning confirmed that they were among those kidnapped during the Ayetoro Kiri incident. The rescued victims were immediately taken for medical care.
The troops also uncovered two decomposing bodies suspected to belong to abducted persons. One body was successfully evacuated, while efforts were ongoing to recover the second. The rescued victims are currently receiving treatment at Fisayo Hospital in Obajana, while the recovered body has been deposited at St. Joseph Mortuary in Kabba.
The military source added that debriefing of the rescued victims is ongoing to aid efforts to locate and rescue others still in captivity. While the area is currently calm, troops remain on high alert as operations continue to flush out criminal elements.
