During a clearance operation in the Lokoja Local Government Area, Nigerian Army forces engaged in ongoing anti-kidnapping operations in Kogi State recovered decomposing remains and rescued five kidnapped victims. On Thursday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) was informed by a reliable military source that, in response to reliable intelligence, troops from the Obajana and Kabba patrol bases projected a fighting patrol to Ankomi village in the Adankolo general area of the Lokoja Local Government Area. According to the source, the patrol found that the village, which had previously been inhabited by bandits, had been burnt and deserted.
“Troops extended the operation to the river line, where three women and two children were intercepted. Preliminary debriefing confirmed they were victims of the Ayetoro Kiri kidnap incident,” the source said. “Troops further exploited the area and discovered two decomposing bodies suspected to be those of abducted persons. One corpse was evacuated, while efforts were ongoing to recover the remaining remains.
“The rescued victims are currently receiving medical treatment at Fisayo Hospital, Obajana, while the deceased woman has been deposited at St. Joseph Mortuary in Kabba, Kogi,” he said.
The insider also mentioned that the general security situation in the area was quiet but unpredictable, and that debriefing of the recovered victims was continuing to bolster efforts to rescue other abductees. He claims that operations to save the remaining casualties are still in progress and that the soldiers' morale and fighting effectiveness are still satisfactory.