BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed two suspected kidnappers during a fresh military offensive in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, recovering two AK-47 rifles and more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition.

The operation, conducted on Tuesday, was part of an intensified manhunt for criminal elements who fled into the forest following an earlier military raid on their suspected hideout.

The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Composite Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lokoja.

According to him, the latest operation followed a successful military assault on a suspected kidnappers' camp in the same forest on Monday, during which troops dismantled the hideout and recovered approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition and six motorcycles.

Abdullahi explained that following the initial operation, troops returned to the forest on Tuesday to pursue fleeing suspects, search for additional hideouts and prevent the criminals from regrouping or escaping through surrounding communities.

He said the soldiers encountered the fleeing armed men during the clearance operation, leading to a gun battle that forced the suspects to retreat.

"During the follow-up operation, troops again made contact with the fleeing criminal elements and engaged them, forcing the suspects to withdraw.

"The encounter resulted in the neutralisation of two kidnappers, while others fled into the surrounding forest," he stated.

A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and a substantial quantity of ammunition believed to have been in the possession of the fleeing criminal group.

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The recovered ammunition included 438 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition and 4,725 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, bringing the total recovered during Tuesday's operation to 5,163 rounds.

Other items recovered by the troops included two bandoliers, two mobile phones and a power bank.

The military described the latest operation as a continuation of its efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the forest and prevent suspected kidnappers from using the area as a hideout.

Abdullahi said the operation had further strengthened the gains recorded during Monday's raid, adding that the Brigade remained determined to sustain pressure on armed groups and deny them freedom of movement.

He also maintained that troops were continuing to dominate the operational area, with personnel displaying high morale and combat readiness.

The Army reassured residents of Kogi State of its commitment to intensifying security operations against kidnappers and other criminal groups, stressing that efforts to protect lives and property would continue.

The latest offensive represents another military push against criminal elements using forest locations as operational bases, as security forces seek to prevent further attacks and restore lasting peace across the state.