Troops Rescue Kidnapped Orphanage Victims, Intercept Terrorists’ Arms Courier in Kogi
Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued kidnapped victims from an Islamic orphanage and intercepted a suspected terrorist arms courier in separate but coordinated operations in Kogi State.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement issued on May 6, 2026, by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, who said the operations were conducted under Operation Tiger Paw II as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and enhance security across Kogi State and the wider North Central region.
In the first operation, troops successfully rescued the remaining abducted victims from the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage after sustained search-and-rescue efforts in the Agbaja Forest area of Lokoja Local Government Area.
Acting on credible intelligence and maintaining pressure on the kidnappers, the Brigade’s blocking force located and recovered the victims, bringing an end to the abduction.
The rescued victims comprised five boys, two girls, and two adult women believed to be wives of the orphanage’s proprietor. They were immediately evacuated to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre, where they received first aid and medical attention. Military sources confirmed that all the victims are in stable condition.
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In a related operation on the same day, troops intercepted and arrested a suspected terrorist ammunition courier along the Obajana–Lokoja road.
The suspect, identified as Yahaya Umar, was found with 500 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition concealed inside a bag of maize in what authorities described as an attempt to evade detection.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is part of a logistics network responsible for transporting arms and ammunition for terrorist groups operating across the North Central states.
He reportedly received the ammunition at Obajana Forest and was transporting it to Dikko Junction in Suleja, Niger State, for delivery to an unidentified recipient.
The suspect is currently in military custody and undergoing further interrogation, as efforts intensify to track and dismantle the wider network.
The Nigerian Army said the twin operations underscore its continued resolve to safeguard lives and property while sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and their collaborators.
It also urged members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
By PRNigeria
