Heartwarming moment kidnapped little girl thanked soldier who carried her out of forest after rescue operation in Kogi (video)

Security forces rescued 16 kidnapped victims, including four children, following an operation against suspected bandits in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

In a video posted by John Adama Akola, the Special Adviser on Security to Kogi State Governor, one of the children thanked the soldier who carried her out of the forest after the rescue operation. 

LIB earlier reported that the victims were kidnapped on August 9, 2026 when suspected bandits attacked three vehicles along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area.

Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele confirmed the rescue in a statement on Monday, 10 August 2026.

According to the statement, information received at about 11:30 a.m. on August 10 indicated that the victims had been sighted around Adumu community in Dekina.

Following the intelligence, troops of 21 Battalion and personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police, local vigilantes and Hybrid Forces, launched a search-and-rescue operation in the area.

The security forces eventually made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing the criminals to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding area.

The encounter, however, resulted in the d3ath of one member of the Hybrid Forces, while a police personnel sustained injuries.

The rescued victims comprised six males, six females and four children.

 

 

 

 

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