Nigerian Troops Overrun Terror Camp in Kogi Forest, Rescue 14 Kidnap Victims

Weapons, foreign passport recovered as army intensifies offensive across Lokoja axis

Nigerian Army troops have overrun a suspected terrorist hideout in Kogi State’s forest belt, rescuing 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated offensive around the Lokoja axis.

The operation, carried out by soldiers of the 12 Brigade, targeted a camp linked to a notorious gang leader identified as Batijjo, located within the Adonkolo/Kakanda Forest.

A military source told the News Agency of Nigeria that the troops engaged the armed group in a fierce gun battle before successfully taking control of the camp, forcing the assailants to flee into the forest.

During the raid, soldiers recovered weapons, ammunition, military and police camouflage gear, as well as several documents — including a foreign passport — believed to be linked to the group’s operations.

One of the rescued victims was identified as a serving Nigerian soldier who had been abducted while travelling from Abeokuta to Zaria. All rescued individuals were immediately attended to by military medical teams and stabilised.

In a follow-up operation at Tajimi, troops laid an ambush for fleeing suspects. A terrorist reportedly abandoned his motorcycle while escaping the scene. The motorcycle has since been recovered for intelligence analysis.

Troops also responded to a separate kidnapping incident along the Okene–Onyukoko road, where seven victims managed to escape captivity. Search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing to locate others believed to be held by the group.

The military source reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks operating within Kogi and neighbouring states.