Troops Rescue Two Kidnapped Women, Prevent Further Abduction Attempts

Troops engaged in ongoing internal security operations rescued two kidnapped women in Kwara and disrupted new abduction attempts in Ondo State, maintaining pressure on criminal elements across the country.

An operational report released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday disclosed the details.

According to the report, troops of Operation Savannah Shield rescued the two female victims during a fighting patrol in the Ndanaku‑Lata area of Patigi Local Government Area, Kwara.

The report noted that the victims had been abducted on April 2 while returning from Patigi Market along the Ndanaku‑Mari village road.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the victims, both residents of the Ndanaku community, were left by their captors along the Lata‑Ndanaku forest axis before the kidnappers fled.

The victims were subsequently reunited with their families after receiving assistance from the troops.

In a related development, Nigerian Army troops stationed at Forward Operating Base Bangi in Niger prevented an attempt by terrorists to abduct farmers along the Kukata‑Kotonkoro road in Mariga Local Government Area.

The troops engaged the terrorists in a gun duel, compelling them to abandon the mission and flee into the forest.

Military reinforcements later pursued the fleeing criminals, and traces of blood were reportedly found along their escape route," the report said.

The report also revealed that troops of Operation MESA, in cooperation with police and other security agencies, thwarted two attempted kidnappings in Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State.

It added that security operatives responded to distress calls after reports of attempted abductions in Ojana New Area and Igbegun Area near Owo Housing Estate.

The military said the swift intervention of the joint security team disrupted the operation and forced the armed criminals to flee into nearby bushes.

According to the report, the intended victims and their family members were rescued unharmed, though one civilian suffered a gunshot wound to the leg during the incident and was evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo for treatment.

The report added that troops subsequently carried out pursuit and bush‑combing operations to locate the fleeing suspects, and security surveillance was intensified in the affected areas.

The operations, the report said, underscore ongoing efforts by security forces to curb kidnapping and protect vulnerable communities across the country. (NAN)