-Military intercepts 28-year-old victim five days after abduction in FCT
—Kidnappers flee into forest following a 3 a.m. firefight near Obajana
—Army intensifies manhunt for fleeing suspects along FCT-Kogi corridor**
Troops of the 2 Division Area of Responsibility have rescued a 28-year-old kidnap victim and recovered an AK-47 rifle following a fierce gun battle with suspected kidnappers in Kogi State.
The successful operation occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026, when troops stationed at the Obajana Patrol Base intercepted the victim, identified as Hussaini Shehu.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Shehu was abducted five days ago from the Abaji area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Upon his rescue, the victim provided intelligence that led troops to the location where he had been held captive.
A military source disclosed that on reaching the hideout, troops engaged the kidnappers in a heavy firefight. Overpowered by the military’s superior firepower, the suspects abandoned one AK-47 rifle and fled into the dense forest with gunshot wounds.
The recovered weapon has been taken into custody, while Shehu was evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment and trauma evaluation.
Security forces have since intensified “search and flush” operations in the axis to track down the fleeing suspects. This latest success underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led patrols in disrupting kidnapping syndicates operating along the strategic FCT-Kogi highway.
