The Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade has successfully intercepted an armed bandit gang and rescued a kidnapped victim during a coordinated counter-crime operation in Kogi State.

The operation took place in the early hours of November 25 along the Oshokoshoko–Obajana axis in Lokoja Local Government Area, a corridor frequently targeted by criminal groups.

In a statement, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 12 Brigade, said troops deployed from the Kabba Patrol Base, working alongside other hybrid forces, carried out a special ambush after receiving credible intelligence on the bandits’ movements with abducted persons.

When contact was made, the bandits, whose numbers remain unconfirmed, opened fire but were overpowered by superior troop firepower, forcing them to retreat in disorder. One bandit was killed, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

During the follow-up search, soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle and rescued one kidnapped victim, who was found in a weakened and distressed condition and immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment. Pursuit operations to track the fleeing bandits are ongoing.

The army reiterated its commitment to maintaining sustained pressure on criminal networks in Kogi State and urged residents to provide timely and actionable information to aid security operations.