No Ransom Paid As Army Rescues 9 Kidnapped Victims In Kwara

The Nigerian Army has rescued nine kidnapped victims from the Matokun community in the Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The operation was carried out by troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade operating from the Forward Operating Base in Patigi.

The rescue operation comes weeks after bandits attacked several villages in Patigi, killing a pregnant woman in Matokun and abducting eight residents.

The rescued victims were later handed over to the Patigi Local Government Council and were immediately taken to a medical facility for treatment.

In a telephone chat on Tuesday night, the spokesperson of the brigade, Stephen Nwankwo, confirmed the development.

He said the operation was carried out during a night patrol in Kogi and Kwara States as part of ongoing clearance operations against criminal elements.

According to the Army, the victims were intercepted at Essalu community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.

“They included four men and five women who were abducted from the Matoku community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State on September 24.

“The success resulted from sustained clearance operations around Esanlu, Patigi, Babasango, Etsuyum, and adjoining communities across Kogi and Kwara States,” he added.