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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