Troops Destroy Criminal Hideouts, Rescue Kidnap Victim in Kogi
By Queen Madaki
The Bureau News reports that troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have intensified offensive operations across Kogi State, leading to the destruction of criminal hideouts, arrest of a suspect, and rescue of a kidnapped victim in separate coordinated missions.
In Omala Local Government Area, troops operating under the Joint Task Force (JTF) Omala, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante groups, carried out a clearance operation at about 7:00 a.m. on April 10 in the Akpagogo Forest.
During the operation, security forces arrested a suspect alleged to have violated grazing regulations within the area.
Further exploitation of the forest led to the discovery and destruction of suspected criminal camps believed to serve as hideouts for armed groups.
The arrested suspect has since been handed over to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Abejukolo for further investigation.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and deny them safe havens across the state.
In a related development, troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area successfully rescued a kidnap victim during a patrol operation conducted around 2:07 p.m. at Aaru Cashew Plantation.
Security sources disclosed that the victim was abandoned by his abductors, who fled upon sighting advancing troops near the Dadi Kowa axis.
Preliminary findings revealed that the victim had been kidnapped on April 1 from Ejiba community in the same local government area.
Following the rescue, the victim was debriefed and safely reunited with his family.
The Bureau News understands that the sustained operations reflect the commitment of security agencies to restoring peace and enhancing safety across Kogi State.
