Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under the 2 Division, have foiled an attempted abduction of pupils at Iluke Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The operation, which took place on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, followed credible intelligence from vigilant residents who alerted security personnel to the presence of suspected terrorists disguised in military uniforms within the community.
According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, troops on patrol swiftly mobilised to the area upon receiving the information.
The statement revealed that upon arrival, soldiers discovered that the terrorists had already assembled pupils of Iluke Primary School with the intention of abducting them. Troops immediately engaged the criminals in a firefight, forcing them to abandon the operation and flee.
During the encounter, one terrorist was neutralised, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.
However, the army disclosed that before the troops arrived, the attackers had killed a teacher and a resident of the community, describing the act as further evidence of the terrorists’ brutality against innocent civilians.
Military authorities noted that the prompt intervention of the troops prevented what could have become a large-scale kidnapping of schoolchildren and saved many lives.
The Nigerian Army said troops are currently pursuing the fleeing suspects, while security agencies in neighbouring Kwara and Niger states have been alerted to block possible escape routes due to the interconnected nature of the affected communities.
The military also assured residents that additional security measures have been put in place to deny terrorists freedom of movement, reassure the public, and prevent further attacks.
Residents were urged to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal elements from the state.
