Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed two suspected kidnappers and recovered more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition during a follow-up security operation in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The operation, carried out by troops of the 12 Composite Brigade on November 3, 2026, was part of an ongoing military campaign against kidnapping networks operating in parts of the state.
The Nigerian Army said the latest offensive followed an earlier raid on a suspected criminal hideout in the same forest on November 2. During that operation, soldiers reportedly encountered armed suspects, prompting a pursuit into the surrounding area.
According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Composite Brigade, the follow-up mission focused on tracking suspects who escaped during the initial encounter and clearing other locations believed to have been used as hideouts.
The military said troops encountered the fleeing suspects again during the operation, resulting in a confrontation in which two suspected kidnappers were killed. Other members of the group reportedly escaped into the forest.
Army recovers AK-47 rifles and 5,163 rounds of ammunition
A search conducted after the encounter led to the recovery of weapons, ammunition and communication-related items believed to have been associated with the suspected criminal group.
The recovered materials included two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and a total of 5,163 rounds of ammunition.
The ammunition comprised 438 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition and another 4,725 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Soldiers also recovered two bandoliers, two mobile phones and a power bank.
The quantity of ammunition recovered is particularly significant, given the security concerns surrounding armed kidnapping groups operating in forested areas and remote communities.
However, the Army has not publicly disclosed the identities of the suspects killed or provided further information about the ownership and intended use of the recovered weapons.
Follow-up operation builds on earlier forest raid
The November 3 operation was intended to extend the gains of the previous day’s military offensive.
During the initial raid on November 2, troops reportedly discovered a suspected kidnappers’ camp in Edimogbo Forest and engaged armed individuals who subsequently fled.
The military then continued operations in the area to locate those who escaped and search other suspected hideouts.
The decision to maintain pressure on the forest location reflects the security challenges associated with criminal groups using difficult terrain to avoid detection and move between communities.
Forested areas can provide cover for armed groups involved in kidnapping, making sustained surveillance and coordinated security operations important to efforts to disrupt their activities.
The Army said troops remained active across the general area following the latest engagement.
Kogi intensifies fight against kidnapping
Kidnapping and other violent crimes have remained major security concerns in several parts of Kogi State.
The state’s location and road connections make security along major routes and in rural communities an important priority for authorities.
Military formations, police personnel and other security agencies have continued to conduct operations aimed at identifying criminal hideouts, responding to intelligence reports and preventing attacks on residents and travellers.
The 12 Composite Brigade has also been working alongside the Kogi State Police Command and other security agencies as part of broader efforts to address kidnapping.
The latest operation is one of several security actions reported in the state in recent days.
In a separate operation, troops involved in Operation WHIRL STROKE reportedly killed two suspected bandits during an intelligence-led ambush along the Adankolo–Apata Road and recovered a locally made pistol and ammunition.
The incidents highlight the continuing security pressure facing communities in different parts of Kogi.
Army urges residents to support security operations
Following the latest operation, the Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to tackling criminal groups and improving security across the state.
The military said troops would continue to maintain pressure on suspected kidnappers and other armed groups operating within the brigade’s area of responsibility.
It also stressed the importance of protecting residents and their property while working towards improved security.
Cooperation from local communities remains important in this effort. Residents are encouraged to provide credible and timely information to security agencies when they notice suspicious movements or activities.
Such information can help authorities identify potential threats and respond before criminal groups carry out attacks.
Although the latest operation resulted in the recovery of a substantial quantity of ammunition and the deaths of two suspected kidnappers, the wider challenge of kidnapping in Kogi remains.
Security agencies will need to sustain intelligence gathering, strengthen cooperation and maintain operations across vulnerable communities to prevent armed groups from re-establishing their presence.
For residents, the key concern remains whether continued military pressure will translate into lasting improvements in safety, particularly in rural areas and along routes affected by kidnapping.
