By Wellington Jopelo
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 11 kidnapped Nigerians during a late-night operation along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway after foiling an attempt by terrorists to move their captives through a bush route.
The rescue was disclosed on Tuesday by the Nigerian Armed Forces via its official X handle.
According to the military, the operation took place on January 26, 2026, and was carried out by troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Doka, following intelligence gathered through surveillance.
The Army said its troops detected armed terrorists trying to transport their captives through the Gidan Duna–Amale bush track under the cover of darkness.
“Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Doka, leveraging high-definition, long-range CCTV surveillance, detected armed terrorists attempting to move their captives through the Gidan Duna–Amale bush track under the cover of darkness and immediately initiated a coordinated interception,” the statement said.
It added that the soldiers launched a swift pursuit using tactical vehicles and motorcycles, forcing the terrorists to abandon the victims and flee into nearby scrubland.
“A swift high-speed pursuit using tactical vehicles and motorcycles overwhelmed the criminals, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding scrubland,” the Army stated.
The operation led to the rescue of five adult males, three adult females, and three children, who had been in captivity for 92 days.
The military disclosed that the victims were abducted from Gada Mallam Maman Community on October 26, 2025, and had been held for over three months.
“The operation resulted in the successful rescue of five adult males, three adult females, and three children, who had been held in captivity since their abduction from Gada Mallam Maman Community on 26 October 2025,” the statement added.
The Army described the operation as a clear demonstration of its effective use of modern surveillance technology combined with agile ground operations.
“This decisive action highlights the Nigerian Army’s effective integration of modern surveillance technology with agile ground operations and stresses its relentless commitment to protecting lives, securing key routes and ensuring that criminals find no refuge by day or by night,” it said.
The military reaffirmed its resolve to sustain pressure on terrorist and criminal elements operating along major highways and surrounding communities, especially along critical routes like the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.