In a major counter-banditry operation that spans Kwara and Kogi States, Nigerian Army troops have rescued 24 kidnapped victims.
Polycarp Okoye, the acting Deputy director of army public relations for the 2d division of the Nigerian Army, made this known in a statement released on Friday.
The operation came after coordinated offensives by members of the 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin and the 12 Brigade Lokoja, according to Okoye, a Lieutenant Colonel.
14 men, 5 women, 1 infant, and 4 Chinese nationals who were kidnapped from various locations throughout Kwara and Kogi States make up the 14 rescued victims.
Before the military’s intensive operations forced the bandits to release them, he claimed some of the victims had been imprisoned for more than four months.
On October 17, 2025, troops from 2 Division/Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMA successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims, according to the statement.
The kidnapped victims, who included 14 men, 5 women, 1 infant, and 4 Chinese nationals, were the result of coordinated operations by the soldiers of 12 Brigade Lokoja and 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin. The victims’ claims that they were kidnapped throughout Kwara and Kogi States were unspoken. The bandits were forced to release their captives, some of whom had been with them for more than four months, as the troops’ offensive grew more intense.
Major General CR Nnebeife, the commander of Sector 3 Operation Fansan Yama, and the general officer commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), ensured that the troops were given the necessary first aid and other aid to help them recover from the torture they had endured while being tortured by their abductors.
“Major General Nnebeife expressed sympathy for the victims, giving assurance that the Division will continue to fight against all criminal elements.” Within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR), he stated that there will be no hiding places for criminals and bandits.
The rescued victims were immediately taken to a military hospital for treatment. The majority of them are responding to treatment and will be reunited with their families once they are fully recovered and were physically weak and unable to walk without assistance.
Source: Channels TV
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