Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised two suspected kidnappers and recovered two AK-47 rifles and thousands of ammunition rounds in Kogi.
The operation took place on Tuesday in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area, during a follow-up offensive against fleeing criminals.
The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Composite Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lokoja.
Abdullahi said the operation followed a successful raid on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the same forest on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that troops had dismantled the camp during Monday’s operation, recovering about 1,000 rounds of ammunition and six motorcycles.
He said troops sustained their exploitation of the forest on Tuesday to track fleeing suspects, clear remaining hideouts and restrict criminals’ movements.
“During the follow-up operation, troops again made contact with the fleeing criminal elements and engaged them, forcing the suspects to withdraw.
“The encounter resulted in the neutralisation of two kidnappers, while others fled into the surrounding forest,” he said.
Abdullahi said a subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and seven magazines.
Other recovered items included 438 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition and 4,725 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The troops also recovered two bandoliers, two mobile phones and one power bank.
He said the operation further consolidated the gains of Monday’s raid and demonstrated the Brigade’s determination to sustain pressure on criminal elements.
Abdullahi added that troops continued to dominate the area, maintaining high morale and fighting efficiency.
He reassured Kogi residents of the Army’s commitment to sustaining operations against criminal elements and protecting lives and property.
He said the military remained committed to restoring lasting peace across the state. (NAN)
