Troops of 12 Composite Brigade, 5 Division Nigerian Army, have neutralised two kidnappers and recovered arms and ammunition during a follow-up exploitation operation in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, in a statement said the operation, conducted on November 3, 2026, followed the successful raid on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the same forest on November 2, 2026.
It said troops made contact with the criminal elements, sustained the exploitation of the forest and tracked down fleeing suspects, cleared remaining hideouts and denied the criminals freedom of action.
It said during the follow-up operation, troops again made contact with the fleeing criminal elements and engaged them, forcing the suspects to withdraw, adding that the encounter resulted in the neutralisation of two kidnappers, while others fled into the surrounding forest.
It said troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 438 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition, 4,725 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two bandoliers, two mobile phones and one power bank.
“The successful exploitation operation further consolidates the gains recorded during the previous day’s raid and underscored the Brigade’s determination to sustain pressure on criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility,” the statement said.
It said the Nigerian Army reassured the general public, particularly the good people of Kogi State, of its unwavering commitment to sustaining operations against criminal elements, protecting lives and property and restoring lasting peace and security across the state.