Army says troops killed two suspected kidnappers in Kogi forest raid
- Troops killed two suspected kidnappers in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela-Odolu LGA, the Army said.
- The Tuesday follow-up came after Monday's raid on a camp in the same forest.
- Two AK-47 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition were recovered, the Army said.
The Nigerian Army says its troops killed two suspected kidnappers in a follow-up operation in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Tuesday.
The operation came a day after troops dismantled a suspected kidnappers' camp in the same forest, according to Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Composite Brigade. He announced the raid in a statement issued in Lokoja.
Abdullahi said Monday's raid yielded about 1,000 rounds of ammunition and six motorcycles. On Tuesday, troops returned to the forest to track suspects who fled, clear remaining hideouts and limit the movement of criminal groups.
He said the troops made contact with the suspects and engaged them, forcing them to withdraw. Two suspected kidnappers were killed, he said, while others escaped into the surrounding forest.
What was recovered
A search of the area after the encounter turned up two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 438 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition and 4,725 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Troops also recovered two bandoliers, two mobile phones and a power bank, Abdullahi said.
He described Tuesday's operation as building on the gains of Monday's raid and said the brigade would keep pressure on criminal groups. The troops remain in the area, he added, and he reassured residents that the Army is committed to protecting lives and property and restoring lasting peace across Kogi State.
For people living around Igalamela-Odolu and nearby communities, the size of the ammunition haul points to how heavily armed the groups operating in the forest are believed to be. Kidnapping for ransom has been a persistent worry for travellers and farming families in parts of Kogi, and security operations in the state's forests are closely watched.
What happens next
The Army said it will continue operations in the forest to find suspects still at large and dismantle any remaining camps. Residents are likely to see more troop movement in the area in the coming days.
The military did not say whether anyone has been arrested or charged. Those killed were described as suspects, and no court has convicted anyone in connection with the camp.
