Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 87 people in separate operations in Niger and Kogi states, killing one suspected terrorist during an encounter in Niger, where a soldier also died from injuries sustained in a gun battle.
The operations involved troops of 18 Brigade under Operation Savannah Shield, who rescued 84 residents in Niger, and Sector 1 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), who freed three kidnapped victims in Kogi.
Security sources quoted by security reporter Zagazola Makama said the troops were continuing efforts to track the fleeing attackers and secure affected communities and routes.
Troops rescue 84 residents in Niger
In Niger State, troops engaged suspected terrorists along the Tegina–Garin Gabas–Zungeru road in Rafi Local Government Area following intelligence about a large movement of armed men.
According to the sources, credible human intelligence indicated that terrorists travelling on about 300 motorcycles had been sighted around Kwange village.
The soldiers established blocking positions but encountered an ambush at Kwanan Barau along the route.
During the ensuing firefight, troops rescued 84 residents who had been held at Kundu village and killed one suspected terrorist.
A motorcycle, a mobile phone and two locally fabricated Dane guns were recovered.
One soldier dies during evacuation
Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the Niger encounter and were evacuated towards the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna for treatment.
One of the injured soldiers subsequently died during evacuation.
Troops have continued operations to pursue the fleeing terrorists and strengthen security around affected communities and major roads.
Three kidnapped victims freed on Kogi’s Okene bypass
In the separate Kogi operation, troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke, rescued three kidnapped victims along the Okene bypass in Okene Local Government Area.
Security sources said troops stationed at Forward Operating Base Adogo responded to a kidnapping report at about 12:17 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
On arrival, the soldiers found an abandoned vehicle believed to have conveyed the victims before their abduction.
The troops followed the kidnappers’ escape route. According to the sources, the abductors abandoned the three victims and fled into the surrounding area after sighting the advancing soldiers.
One rescued victim sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital, while the other two were assisted to continue their journey.
Security personnel are continuing efforts to locate the kidnappers and prevent further attacks along the bypass.
Rescues add to security operations in Kogi
The three people freed in Okene brought the combined rescue figure from the Niger and Kogi operations to 87.
The Bureau Journal has previously reported on an operation that freed 15 kidnap victims in Itobe, a separate rescue involving 21 victims in Kogi and the rescue of 11 people following an attack on travellers.
Highway security remains a concern following incidents including the abduction of passengers from three commercial buses and the kidnapping of a newlywed couple travelling through the state.
The soldier’s death and the killing of the suspected terrorist occurred during the Niger operation, while the three-victim rescue took place in Kogi.
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