Nigerian Army thwarts bandit ambush, resues kidnap victim in Kogi

In a decisive blow against violent crime, troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have foiled an ambush by armed bandits and successfully rescued a kidnapped victim in Kogi State.

The operation, which took place on November 25, 2025, was launched after troops received credible intelligence about bandits transporting abducted persons through the Oshokoshoko-Obajana corridor. In response, a joint team from the Kabba Patrol Base and Hybrid Forces set up a special ambush to intercept the criminals.

According to a statement from Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Brigade, the troops engaged the bandits after lying in wait. The armed criminals opened fire but were overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower, forcing a disorganized retreat.

During the firefight, one bandit was neutralized, and several others were seen fleeing with gunshot wounds. The operation also led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle.

Most significantly, the troops rescued one kidnapped victim who was found in a weak and distressed condition.

The individual was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for urgent care.

Pursuit operations are ongoing to track down the remaining members of the fleeing criminal group. The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements to ensure the safety and security of communities across Kogi State.

Residents are encouraged to continue supporting security agencies with timely and useful information.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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