Nigerian troops rescued seven children and two women. They were kidnapped from a Kogi State orphanage late last month. The successful recovery happened during a forest operation. This concludes a search that lasted weeks. The raid occurred in the country's north-central region.
The Nigerian Army announced the rescue on Wednesday. The operation took place on May 6, 2026. It was part of Operation TIGER PAW II. Military officials credited sustained pressure and good intelligence for the success. The army's 12 Brigade intercepted the victims in dense forest. The rescued group included five boys and two girls. Two adult women were also found. They are believed to be the orphanage proprietor's wives. Gunmen had raided the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage. This facility is in a remote part of Lokoja.
The nine survivors are now safe. They received immediate medical care. They were taken to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre. Doctors report all victims are in stable condition. The orphanage was reportedly operating without legal registration. This kidnapping follows a trend of abductions at institutions. These groups often target students for attention and ransom. This reinforces wider concerns about regional security.
In a separate operation same day, Nigerian soldiers stopped an arms smuggling attempt. They acted along the Obajana–Lokoja road. A suspect named Yahaya Umar was arrested. He was allegedly moving 500 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition. These munitions were hidden inside a bag of maize. This was an attempt to hide the illegal cargo.
Preliminary findings suggest Umar is a key courier. He works for a regional arms syndicate. The ammunition was meant for delivery in Suleja, Niger State. A recipient there is still unknown. The army is interrogating Umar. This aims to capture other members of the network. This bust is crucial for dismantling criminal supply chains. Such activities fuel instability across West Africa.
The Nigerian Army sees these successes as vital. They are part of a plan to secure the North-Central region. The army statement emphasized its commitment. It aims to protect lives and property. It also targets terrorists and their supporters. The military urges the public to continue sharing information. Timely intelligence supports ongoing security efforts.
Such illicit arms trafficking poses a great risk. It affects countries like Ghana and other ECOWAS members. Concealing munitions in food supplies is a common tactic. This highlights the need for better border checks. Dismantling these logistics hubs is essential. It prevents insurgent activity from spreading.