Troops Rescue Nine Kidnap Victims After Gun Battle With Abductors in Kogi

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of 21 Battalion, Nigerian Army, have rescued nine kidnapped commuters following an attack by suspected kidnappers along the Ajaokuta–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on August 11, 2026, when the suspected kidnappers attacked commuters travelling along the busy route and abducted an unspecified number of passengers.

Troops deployed at Patrol Base Itobe swiftly mobilised to the scene after receiving information about the incident.

A military source told Zagazola Makama that the troops arrived at the location and found a Hiace bus and a Toyota Sienna vehicle abandoned, with their passengers missing.

The troops subsequently exploited the withdrawal route used by the kidnappers and tracked them towards Adumu Community in Dekina Local Government Area.

The troops eventually made contact with the kidnappers and engaged them in a gun battle.

Unable to withstand the troops’ firepower, the criminals were forced to abandon the kidnapped victims and flee into the surrounding area.

The troops successfully rescued nine victims, comprising two elderly men, two elderly women, four men and one infant.

The rescued victims were handed over to the Nigeria Police, Itobe Area Command, for further necessary action and support.

Military sources said efforts are continuing to track the fleeing kidnappers and rescue other victims who may still be in captivity.

Troops Rescue Nine Kidnap Victims After Gun Battle With Abductors in Kogi

Troops Foil Armed Herders’ Attack, Recover AK-47 Rifle in Benue

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, have foiled an attack by suspected armed herders at Azege Village, Tombo Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The troops responded to a distress call on August 10, 2026, reporting an attack on the Azege community and swiftly mobilised to the area.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that the troops made contact with the attackers upon arrival and engaged them in a gunfight.

The assailants were overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower and fled in disarray.

The troops subsequently pursued the fleeing attackers and discovered one of the suspected armed herders neutralised during the encounter.

Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle, one magazine loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and one Nokia mobile phone.

The recovered items have been secured, while the remains of the neutralised assailant were evacuated by the police.

Efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend other members of the group who fled the area.

The Joint Task Force has commended the troops for their tactical resilience and praised the police for their cooperation during the operation.

Residents have also been urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies.

Troops Foil Armed Herders’ Attack, Recover AK-47 Rifle in Benue

Cameroonian Authorities Arrests 23-Year-Old With Large Cache of 7.62mm Ammunition Near Nigeria’s Gamboru

By Zagazola Makama

Cameroonian security authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in possession of a large quantity of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in containers while riding a motorcycle in the Far North Region of Cameroon, near the Gamboru axis in Borno.

The suspect, identified as Moussa Ngoudja, a Cameroonian national born in Sueram, Fotokol, was arrested at about 6:30 a.m. on August 9 following a security operation by members of the Vigilance Committee of Dougoumslio Slio Village.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that Ngoudja was intercepted while riding a Boxer motorcycle and was found in possession of three containers containing several rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

The discovery has raised concerns over the movement of ammunition through communities around the Cameroon-Nigeria border, particularly given the proximity of the area to Gamboru and other locations affected by the activities of terrorist and criminal networks operating around the Lake Chad Basin.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly told his interrogators that he had collected the ammunition from Mada in Makary, Cameroon, and was transporting it to Mdego Village in Fotokol, also in Cameroon.

The suspect is currently being held at the Hilé Alifa Gendarmerie Brigade in Cameroon, where further investigation is being conducted to establish how he obtained the ammunition and whether other individuals or networks were involved in the movement.

Cameroonian Authorities Arrests 23-Year-Old With Large Cache of 7.62mm Ammunition Near Nigeria’s Gamboru