‎Army Rescues 9 Kidnap Victims as Troops Intensify Offensive Against Bandits in Kwara, Kogi Border Communities‎

‎Army Rescues 9 Kidnap Victims as Troops Intensify Offensive Against Bandits in Kwara, Kogi Border Communities‎

By Abiola Adigun| Albarka 89.9 FM| October 14, 2025

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division have rescued nine kidnapped victims during sustained clearance operations against terrorists and bandits terrorising border communities between Kwara and Kogi States.
The operation, conducted under Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, took place on the night of October 13, 2025, along the Egbe–Okuran axis in Kogi State and the Okoloke–Patigi corridor in Kwara State. According to an Army statement, the victims were intercepted at Essalu community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The rescued victims—four men and five women—were among several residents abducted from Matoku village in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State during a terrorist raid on September 24. The attackers had also rustled an unconfirmed number of cattle during the invasion.
Army authorities said the breakthrough followed extensive clearance operations around Esanlu, Patigi, Babasango, Etsuyum and adjoining communities straddling Kogi and Kwara States.
The statement, signed by Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 2 Division, noted that the kidnappers were forced to abandon their captives due to intensified military pressure in the area.
Among those freed were Mr. Abdullahi Umar (35), Mr. Umaru Sarki Fawa (55), Mr. Labaran Abubakar (45), Mr. Umar Yanda (30), Mrs. Hassana Muhammad (25), Mrs. Maryam Muhammad (27), Mrs. Aisha Idris (20), and Mrs. Zainab Ahmed (12). The victims received first aid and food supplies before being handed over to Patigi Local Government authorities for reunification with their families.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division and Commander Sector 3, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, commended troops of the 12 and 22 Brigades for their “synergy and operational efficiency” during a visit to Lata in Patigi.
Amid rising concerns over insecurity in Kwara’s border communities, the Army reiterated its commitment to ongoing counter-terrorism operations and urged residents to provide credible intelligence to support efforts to secure lives and property.
The latest rescue operation comes amid a renewed military offensive following weeks of violent attacks and kidnappings in Kwara’s Patigi, Kaiama, and Baruten local government areas. Earlier this month, combined security forces neutralised at least 17 bandits, arrested seven suspects, and freed several abducted victims during coordinated raids in parts of the state. The operations, backed by local vigilante groups, have intensified around forested borderlines connecting Kwara, Kogi, and Niger States—areas long exploited by criminal gangs for cross-border raids and cattle rustling.