The troops of 2 Division/Sector 3 Operation Fansan Yamma has intercepted nine kidnapped victims at Essalu community, in Yagba west LGA of Kogi State.during a night patrol along Egbe – Okuran in Kogi State, and Okoloke through Patigi in Kwara State, on 13 October, 2025.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.Col, Polycarp Okoye in a statement issued Wednesday said among the rescued victims were four males and five females who were kidnapped from their community, Matoku, in Patigi LGA of Kwara State on 24 September, 2025.
He said: “On interrogation, the victims revealed that about three weeks ago, terrorists raided their village, Matoku, in Patigi LGA of Kwara State, and kidnapped several persons.
“It was also disclosed that the criminals rustled an unconfirmed number of cattle.”
Okoye noted that the milestone achievement was as a result of the continued extensive clearance operations by troops of 2 Division/Sector 3 Operation Fansan Yamma around Esanlu, Patigi, Babasango, Etsuyum, and adjoining communities of Kogi and Kwara States.
He said the victims further narrated that the bandits who took them suddenly became apprehensive, resulting from troops’ sustained operations in the area.
Okoye added: “Consequently, they (terrorists) were compelled by circumstances to abandon them and flee.
“The intercepted kidnapped victims include; Mr Abdullahi Umar, aged 35, Alhaji Umaru Sarki Fawa, aged 55, Mr Labaran Abubakar, aged 45, and Mr Umar Yanda, aged 30. Others are Mrs Hassana Muhammad, aged 25, Mrs Maryam Muhammad, aged 27, Mrs Aisha Idris, aged 20, and Mrs Zainab Ahmed, aged 12.”