Navy, Army, Police rescue 13 kidnap victims in Kogi, arrest six drug suspects in Rivers Security forces in Nigeria have successfully rescued 13 kidnapped individuals in Kogi State and arrested six suspected drug traffickers in Rivers State, according to statements released by military and law enforcement officials. The operations took place in late August and involved coordinated efforts by the Nigerian Navy, Army, Police, and local vigilantes. In Kogi State, the Nigerian Navy, in partnership with the Army and Police, carried out a joint operation along the Itobe, Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area on August 10. The mission resulted in the safe retrieval of 13 victims who had been held captive. According to Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the director of information for the Nigerian Navy, the operation involved a coordinated search and rescue effort. He noted that the joint team faced resistance from suspected kidnappers during the operation. One vigilante was killed, and a police officer suffered a gunshot wound before being evacuated for medical treatment. The rescued victims were transferred to security authorities for further assistance. Security operations in the region have since been intensified to track down remaining suspects. Meanwhile, in Rivers State, Navy personnel stationed at Forward Operating Base Bonny, in conjunction with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Bonny Area Command, executed an intelligence-driven operation in Amahausa, Bonny Local Government Area. During the raid, six suspected drug peddlers were apprehended. Authorities recovered a variety of illicit substances, including 250 tablets of Exol 5, 117 wraps of Cannabis Sativa, 50 wraps of methamphetamine, 70 wraps of heroin, eight capsules of 100mg Tramadol, three packs of Cannabis Sativa, and a methamphetamine pipe. The operation underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-led actions and inter-agency cooperation in combating criminal networks. Separately, in Niger State, the Nigerian Army conducted operations that led to the rescue of nine kidnapped individuals and the thwarting of multiple terrorist attacks. These incidents occurred in Mariga and Rijau Local Government Areas. On August 12, troops from the Nigerian Army Training Centre Admin Battalion, based in Kotonkoro, rescued the nine victims during sustained operations in Mariga. The victims were handed over to local authorities for documentation and family reunification. In another operation in the Warari area of Rijau, troops conducting a fighting patrol uncovered and neutralized a terrorist ambush. They recovered seven motorcycles, one camel, 47 cattle, and 18 sheep, which were believed to have been stolen from local communities. The livestock was returned to the respective authorities. Earlier on August 10, troops of the 18 Brigade’s Quick Response Force, supported by units from the 311 Artillery Regiment and the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion X, foiled an attempt by terrorists to infiltrate communities near Inana Village, Majal, and Tunga Bisallah in Rijau. Acting on credible intelligence, the troops intercepted the attackers, who had been riding motorcycles. Upon spotting the soldiers, the terrorists fled into a nearby forest, abandoning their weapons and vehicles. Some were reportedly injured. The soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine, and various types of ammunition. One motorcycle was seized, while six others were destroyed. The Nigerian Army emphasized that these operations were part of ongoing efforts to suppress terrorism and criminal activity in the region. Brigadier General Adebayo Adewumi, acting assistant director of Army public relations, praised the troops for their bravery and professionalism, urging them to maintain their operational momentum. He highlighted the importance of leveraging intelligence gathered from local communities to disrupt criminal networks. The operations reflect the broader strategy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, to enhance security and protect civilian populations. Security challenges persist in Niger State, particularly in areas surrounding Kainji Lake National Park and regions adjacent to neighboring states. Recent reports indicate that security agencies have already rescued 145 people in Niger State as part of a larger initiative that freed 308 victims across Niger and Kwara states. The recent operations demonstrate the continued commitment of Nigerian security forces to combatting crime and ensuring public safety.
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