Soldiers kill suspected kidnappers, recover AK-47 rifles in Kogi

The Nigerian Army and the Kogi State Vigilance Service have killed three suspected kidnappers and recovered four AK-47 rifles during a joint operation in Kogi State.

The operation was conducted on Wednesday in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area as part of a sustained search for suspected kidnappers operating around Edimogbo and Obele forests.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 12 Composite Brigade, Hassan Abdullahi, said the joint security team extended its search from Edimogbo Forest towards Obele Forest in pursuit of fleeing suspects.

He said the suspected kidnappers attempted to escape after sighting the security team, leading to an encounter in which three of them were killed.

The subsequent search led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three bandoliers and an identity card, Mr Abdullahi said.

The Commander of the 12 Composite Brigade, Kasim Sidi, a brigadier general, commended the soldiers and personnel of the vigilance service for their role in the operation.

He urged them to sustain the operations and prevent criminal groups from using the area as a haven.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that soldiers killed two suspected kidnappers and recovered two AK-47 rifles during a follow-up operation in Edimogbo Forest on 3 November.

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The army had said the operation followed an earlier raid on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest on 2 November, during which soldiers recovered 1,000 rounds of ammunition, six motorcycles and other items.

In another report, PREMIUM TIMES reported that troops of the 21 Battalion Quick Reaction Force destroyed the suspected kidnappers’ camp after the occupants fled as soldiers approached.

The latest operation brings the number of suspected kidnappers the army has reported killing in the area over the three days to five.

The army urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.