Friday, May 8, 2026 - Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued the remaining nine victims abducted from the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage in Zariagi, Lokoja, Kogi State, while also foiling an alleged terrorist logistics operation in separate coordinated operations.
The Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by
the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Hassan
Abdullahi.
According to the statement, the operations were carried out
on May 6, 2026, as part of ongoing security efforts under Operation Tiger Paw
II.
“Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have recorded
significant operational successes in Kogi State, rescuing kidnapped victims and
foiling a terrorist logistics movement in separate but coordinated operations
conducted on May 6, 2026,” the statement read
Abdullahi said troops successfully rescued the remaining
victims kidnapped from the orphanage following sustained search-and-rescue
operations based on credible intelligence.
“Acting on credible intelligence and maintaining persistent
operational pressure, troops of the Brigade’s Blocking Force intercepted and
rescued the victims within the Agbaja Forest area in Lokoja Local Government
Area,” he said.
The rescued victims comprised five boys, two girls and two
adult women believed to be wives of the orphanage proprietor.
The Army said the victims were evacuated to the 12 Brigade
Medical Centre, where they received medical attention and first aid, adding
that all of them were in stable condition.
In a related development, troops also intercepted a
suspected terrorist ammunition courier along the Obajana-Lokoja road in Lokoja
Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified as Yahaya Umar, was allegedly found
with 500 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition concealed inside a bag of
maize.
According to the Army, preliminary investigations revealed
that the suspect was part of a logistics network involved in transporting arms
and ammunition to terrorists operating across the North-Central region.
“Further interrogation indicated that the ammunition was
handed over to him at Obajana Forest and was being transported to Dikko
Junction in Suleja, Niger State, for delivery to a yet-to-be-identified
terrorist,” the statement added.
The Army said the suspect remained in custody and was
undergoing further interrogation to aid efforts aimed at dismantling the
criminal network and apprehending other members of the syndicate.
It noted that the operations underscored the Nigerian Army’s
commitment to protecting lives and sustaining pressure on terrorists and their
collaborators.
Abdullahi urged residents to continue supporting security
agencies with timely and credible information.
The orphanage, which also serves as a school in Zariagi, was
attacked by kidnappers about two weeks ago. While 17 victims were reportedly
rescued on the day of the incident, the remaining nine were freed during
Wednesday’s operation.
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