Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade scored key wins in Kogi State on 6 May 2026, freeing kidnapped victims and blocking a suspected terrorist logistics run in two coordinated actions.
The first operation unfolded under Operation TIGER PAW II. After days of sustained search and rescue work, soldiers from the Brigade’s Blocking Force located the remaining hostages taken from Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage. The victims were found in the Agbaja Forest area of Lokoja Local Government Area.
Those rescued include five boys, two girls, and two adult women believed to be the wives of the orphanage’s proprietor. The group was moved immediately to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre for treatment. Medics reported that all were stable after receiving first aid and initial care. 
Later the same day, a separate team acted on intelligence about an arms and ammunition network operating in the region. Soldiers stopped and detained a man along the Obajana–Lokoja road in Lokoja LGA.
The suspect, named as Yahaya Umar, was caught with 500 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition hidden inside a bag of maize. The concealment appeared designed to avoid detection during transport.
Initial questioning points to Umar as a logistics courier moving weapons for terrorist groups across the North Central states. He told investigators he received the ammunition in Obajana Forest and was taking it to Dikko Junction in Suleja, Niger State, for delivery to an unidentified contact.
Umar remains in custody as interrogation continues. Security officials say the information is being used to track other members of the syndicate and disrupt the network’s supply lines.
The Army described the day’s results as evidence of its ongoing push to protect civilians and maintain pressure on criminal and terrorist elements. It also urged residents to keep sharing timely, credible tips with security agencies to help sustain the momentum.
