Soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division/Sector 3 under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have successfully freed nine individuals abducted in Kwara State, now recovered in Kogi State.
Polycarp Okoye, the victims-rescue-kwara/” title=”Dramatic Rescue in Kwara: GOC Leads Operation to Save Kidnap … – See the Pictorial!”>acting deputy director of Army Public Relations for the 2 Division, shared this update in a press release issued in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The rescue took place on the night of Monday, October 13, 2025, during a patrol mission spanning the Egbe-Okuran route in Kogi State and the Okoloke-Patigi corridor in Kwara State.
Okoye explained, “Our forces intercepted nine kidnapped persons in Essalu community, located in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. These victims, comprising four men and five women, were originally abducted from Matoku community in Patigi LGA, Kwara State, on September 24, 2025.”
During debriefing, the rescued individuals recounted that their village, Matoku, was attacked by terrorists approximately three weeks prior, resulting in multiple kidnappings and the theft of an unspecified number of livestock.
This significant breakthrough is credited to the persistent and thorough clearance operations conducted by troops of 2 Division/Sector 3 under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, targeting areas including Esanlu, Patigi, Babasango, Etsuyum, and neighboring communities across Kogi and Kwara States.
“The abductors became increasingly uneasy due to the relentless military presence and operations in the region, which forced them to abandon the captives and retreat,” Okoye added.
The rescued individuals were identified as Mr. Abdullahi Umar (35), Mr. Alhaji Umaru Sarki Fawa (55), Mr. Labaran Abubakar (45), Mr. Umar Yanda (30), Mrs. Hassana Muhammad (25), Mrs. Maryam Muhammad (27), Mrs. Aisha Idris (20), and Mrs. Zainab Ahmed (12).
Upon recovery, the victims received immediate medical attention and nourishment. Major General CR Nnebeife, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division NA and Commander of Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, personally addressed the rescued individuals before facilitating their handover to Patigi LGA officials to ensure their safe return to their families.
Following the rescue, the GOC visited Lata in Patigi LGA, where he commended the efforts and cooperation of the 12 and 22 Brigades, highlighting their vital role in enhancing operational success.
Okoye concluded by urging local communities to continue providing reliable intelligence to support the ongoing campaign against insecurity in the region.
