Troops have rescued four kidnap victims in separate operations conducted in Kogi State and along the Kogi–Kwara border, as security forces sustained pressure on criminal elements operating in the area.

Security sources said troops of the 121 Battalion deployed at the Abocho Patrol Base rescued a female victim at about 10:00 p.m. on July 7 along the Abocho–Ajegwuwa–Ohuwda Road in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The victim told security personnel that she had been abducted by suspected kidnappers on July 5 from her residence in Ajiyolo Community, also in Dekina LGA.

In a related development, troops of the 12 Brigade deployed at Ogbagbo Block Position rescued a pregnant woman during a night patrol along the Jakura–Ogbagbo Road at about 3:45 a.m. on July 8.

The woman said she was kidnapped on June 28 near Obajana Community alongside three other victims.

She explained that she managed to escape after sustained offensive operations by troops forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee their hideout.

Also on July 8, at about 7:00 a.m., troops from the 12 Brigade stationed at Isanlu Patrol Base intercepted two escaped kidnap victims during a patrol around Latta Community along the Kogi–Kwara boundary.

The victims disclosed that they were abducted while working on their farms in the Latta area of Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State and taken to a kidnappers’ camp in the Chigogo Hills area of Kwara.

Security sources said all the rescued victims had received initial care and had been reunited with their families.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities in the North Central region. (Zagazola)