Army and Vigilance Service Take Down Kidnappers in Kogi

The Nigerian Army and Kogi State Vigilance Service have killed three suspected kidnappers and seized four AK-47 rifles in a joint operation in Kogi State.

This operation took place on Wednesday in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area. It was part of a continued search for kidnappers hiding in Edimogbo and Obele forests.

Hassan Abdullahi, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Composite Brigade, shared details in a statement on Wednesday. He said the security team expanded its search from Edimogbo Forest toward Obele Forest to catch the fleeing suspects.

When the suspected kidnappers saw the security team, they tried to run away. This led to a confrontation in which three of them were killed.

After the fight, the team found four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three bandoliers, and an identity card, Mr Abdullahi noted.

Brigadier General Kasim Sidi, the Commander of the 12 Composite Brigade, praised the soldiers and vigilance service members for their efforts in the operation. He encouraged them to keep up the fight against crime and stop criminal groups from using the area as a hideout.

On 3 November, PREMIUM TIMES reported that soldiers killed two suspected kidnappers and recovered two AK-47 rifles in Edimogbo Forest during a follow-up operation.

The army explained that this operation was after an earlier raid on 2 November. In that raid, soldiers found 1,000 rounds of ammunition, six motorcycles, and other items at a suspected kidnapper's hideout.

With this latest operation, the total number of suspected kidnappers killed by the army in the area over three days has reached five.

The army is asking residents to give trustworthy information to security agencies to help with ongoing operations.