Troops of the Nigerian Army have destroyed a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, recovering 1,000 rounds of ammunition, six motorcycles and other items during an offensive operation.

The operation, according to the Army, followed credible human intelligence indicating that suspected kidnappers were hiding in the forest.

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Appolonia Anele, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the troops recovered a substantial cache of ammunition and other materials from the criminal camp.

Anele explained that the suspected criminals opened fire to alert other members of their group after sighting the advancing troops before fleeing into the forest.

She said the soldiers immediately pursued the fleeing suspects deep into the forest, but were unable to establish contact with them.

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“The troops immediately pursued the fleeing criminals deep into the forest, but no contact was made. The troops, however, destroyed the criminal camp, including all supportive structures,” she stated.

According to the Army spokesperson, the recovered items included 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition, seven bandoliers, two shovels, a hand pump, a mobile phone, a Glo modem and six motorcycles.

Other items recovered from the hideout included soap, a jerrycan containing petrol, clothing and pairs of shoes.

The Army said troops were still combing the forest and surrounding areas in an effort to track down the fleeing suspects.

The operation forms part of ongoing military efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts, disrupt the activities of suspected kidnappers and improve security across Kogi State.

The recovery of the ammunition and motorcycles is expected to provide further intelligence on the activities and possible movements of the suspected criminal group.

However, the Army did not disclose whether any arrests had been made in connection with the operation as of the time of the announcement.

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected kidnapper while allegedly collecting a ₦200,000 ransom from a female resident of Nasarawa State.

The suspect, identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, was apprehended at Akwaba in Eggon Local Government Area during an intelligence-led operation involving troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, and DSS personnel.

The arrest followed intelligence reports that Iliyasu had allegedly threatened to abduct a woman unless she paid him ₦200,000.

The Acting Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, confirmed the arrest in a statement.

According to the statement, DSS operatives alerted the military to the alleged threat on October 29, prompting a coordinated operation to track down the suspect and prevent the planned abduction.

As part of the operation, a soldier reportedly went undercover and posed as the person assigned to deliver the ransom.

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The security operatives subsequently arrested Iliyasu while he was allegedly collecting the money.

They also recovered ₦200,000, believed to be the ransom demanded from the intended victim.

The military described the operation as a successful intelligence-led intervention that prevented a possible kidnapping, highlighting the importance of cooperation among security agencies in tackling criminal activities.

Following his arrest, the suspect was handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective coordination during the operation.

Gara urged security personnel to sustain their collaboration and strengthen intelligence sharing to tackle kidnapping and other security threats across their areas of responsibility.

He also stressed the importance of continued inter-agency cooperation in protecting lives, safeguarding communities and maintaining peace across the region.