Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have rescued kidnapped victims and foiled a terrorist logistics movement in separate but coordinated operations conducted on 6 May 2026 in Kogi State,
Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations
12 Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi in a statement issued Thursday said in a major breakthrough under Operation Tiger Paw II, troops successfully rescued the remaining kidnapped victims from the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage following sustained search and rescue efforts.
He noted: “Acting on credible intelligence and maintaining persistent operational pressure, troops of the Brigade’s Blocking Force intercepted and recovered the victims within the Agbaja Forest general area in Lokoja Local Government Area.”
Abdullahi added that the rescued victims comprised five boys, two girls, and two adult females, believed to be the wives of the proprietor of the orphanage.
He stressed that they were promptly evacuated to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre where they received immediate medical attention and first aid.
Abdullahi revealed that all victims are reported to be in stable condition.
In a related development on the same day, troops acting on credible intelligence on the activities of an arms and ammunition syndicate intercepted and apprehended a suspected terrorist ammunition courier along road Obajana–Lokoja in Lokoja Local Government Area.
Abdullahi added that the suspect, identified as Yahaya Umar, was found in possession of 500 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition concealed inside a bag of maize in an attempt to evade detection.
He stated: “Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a key logistics courier involved in the movement of arms and ammunition for terrorists across states within the North Central region.
“Further interrogation indicated that the ammunition was handed over to him at Obajana Forest and was being transported to Dikko Junction in Suleja, Niger State, for delivery to a yet-to-be-identified terrorist.
“The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation to aid ongoing operations aimed at dismantling the criminal network and apprehending other members of the syndicate.”