Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued two kidnap victims, including a six-month-old baby, following a kidnapping incident in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Key highlight:
- Nigerian Army troops rescued a kidnapped woman, Mrs. Adekemi Idowu, and her six-month-old baby in Yagba West LGA, Kogi State.
- Armed terrorists had abducted five members of a family during an attack on their residence in Egbe on June 3, 2026.
- The rescue operation was launched swiftly by soldiers in collaboration with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).
- Security pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon the mother and child and flee the area.
- Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining abducted family members and arrest the perpetrators.
The rescue operation was launched after armed terrorists reportedly stormed a residence near Solid Rock School in the Ijalu area of Egbe on the night of June 3, 2026, abducting five members of a family.
According to the Army, the victims included a woman identified as Mrs. Adekemi Idowu, her infant child, and three other family members.
Military authorities said troops, acting on a distress report, swiftly mobilized alongside members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and pursued the kidnappers along their escape route.
The security pressure forced the assailants to abandon Mrs. Idowu and her six-month-old child near the Oro axis before fleeing into nearby surroundings.
The rescued mother and child were safely returned to their residence, while troops intensified search operations to locate and rescue the remaining abducted family members.
The Army stated that efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice.
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Military authorities also appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in combating criminal activities and improving public safety in the area.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army. The incident occurred in Kogi State, where security forces say operations are continuing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the kidnappers.
