In a high-stakes military operation that unfolded like a thriller, troops of the Nigerian Army rescued five kidnap victims who had been held in captivity for 17 days in the dense forests of Kogi State.
The breakthrough came on Tuesday, June 17, 2026, during sustained counter-terrorism operations under Operation CLEAN SWEEP. Troops from the Forward Operating Base in Oshokoshoko mounted a blocking operation along the Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route in the Adankolo Forest, acting on credible intelligence.
The Coordinated Assault
The operation began with air interdiction by helicopter gunships provided by the Office of the National Security Adviser. The aircraft struck several bandit camps in the Agbede Forest, including the notorious Danguntu camp in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area. The thunderous assault created panic among the kidnappers.
As ground troops closed in from multiple directions, the bandits realised they were trapped. Unable to move quickly with all their hostages, they made a split-second decision — they abandoned five of the captives and fled deeper into the forest to save themselves.
Lt. Col. Francis Nwoffiah, Commanding Officer of 126 Battalion, confirmed the dramatic moment:
“Unable to move with all their captives, they abandoned some of them, which allowed the captives to take advantage and move away.”
The rescued victims — John Luna, Farouq Abdullahi, Eunice Fedrick, and two others — had been abducted on June 1 while travelling on a night bus from Abuja to Lagos. For 17 days they endured harsh conditions in the forest, forced to herd cattle for their captors and moved constantly between hideouts.
Emotional Reunion and Medical Care
The five were immediately given first aid on the battlefield before being evacuated to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre in Lokoja. They are currently receiving full medical attention, with the Kogi State Government covering all expenses.
One of the survivors, Eunice Fedrick, said through tears: “To the glory of God, we survived.”
The Kogi State Government described the rescue as a major breakthrough, praising the seamless coordination between the Army, Air Force, Police, DSS, NSCDC, vigilantes, and local hunters.
Ongoing Hunt for the Bandits
Military authorities say operations are continuing. Several notorious bandit leaders, including Battijo and his lieutenant Issa, have already been neutralised in earlier strikes. The Army has sent a clear warning to remaining criminals in the area:
“There is a new team in place, and the Army message to bandits is simple: quit or face your Waterloo.”
This successful rescue has brought relief to the families of the victims and renewed hope that sustained pressure can dismantle the criminal networks terrorising parts of the North-Central region.
Source: Vanguard News (June 17, 2026)
