By Gloria Attah
Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued a woman and her six-month-old baby after they were abducted by suspected kidnappers in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The rescue followed a swift operation launched after five members of a family were kidnapped during an attack on a residence near Solid Rock School in the Ijalu area of Egbe late Wednesday night.
According to the Army, troops, working alongside members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), immediately mobilised and tracked the kidnappers along their escape route.
Faced with pressure from the security team, the abductors reportedly abandoned the woman and her infant near the Oro axis before fleeing into nearby bushes.
The victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their family, while security operatives intensified efforts to rescue the remaining abductees and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
In a statement, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, said the operation was initiated following a distress call from the community.
“Upon receiving the distress report, troops immediately mobilised in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, launching a pursuit operation along the terrorists’ withdrawal route,” he said.
Abdullahi noted that the latest rescue came days after troops successfully rescued 23 passengers during a counter-kidnapping operation along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area on June 1.
He added that soldiers had also foiled another kidnapping attempt in Lokoja on May 30, killing one suspected terrorist during an ambush operation.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
