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Troops of the 12 Composite Brigade, Nigerian Army, have neutralised two suspected kidnappers and recovered an extensive cache of arms and ammunition during a follow-up operation in Kogi State on Tuesday.
The operation took place in Edimogbo Forest, located in the Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of the state, as troops pursued fleeing criminal elements following an earlier raid.
Confirming the development in a statement issued Tuesday in Lokoja, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Composite Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, stated that the operation built upon a successful raid conducted on Monday, where troops dismantled a major hideout and seized approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition and six motorcycles.
Sustaining the offensive into Tuesday, troops tracked the fleeing suspects through the dense forest to clear remaining hideouts and restrict criminal activity in the axis.
“During the follow-up operation, troops again made contact with the fleeing criminal elements and engaged them, forcing the suspects to withdraw,” Abdullahi stated. “The encounter resulted in the neutralisation of two kidnappers, while others fled into the surrounding forest.”
A thorough search of the area following the gun battle led to the recovery of:
2 AK-47 rifles
7 magazines
4,725 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
438 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition
2 bandoliers, two mobile phones, and one power bank
Lt. Abdullahi highlighted that the successful clearance operation underscores the brigade’s resolve to maintain relentless pressure on criminal networks operating within Kogi State. He added that military personnel remain in high morale and continue to dominate the area.
Reassuring residents, the Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining ongoing operations until lasting peace and security are restored across the state.
