Troops of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army have successfully rescued 11 kidnapped individuals in Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State, after they had been held captive for 92 days.
The army confirmed in a statement on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, that the operation was carried out along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway following a coordinated effort by its forces. The victims were originally abducted from Gada Mallam Maman community on October 26, 2025.
“In a display of tactical precision and modern warfare capability, the Nigerian Army has achieved a major success by rescuing eleven kidnapped Nigerians during a late-night operation along the Kaduna–Abuja corridor,” the statement read.
Troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Doka used high-definition, long-range CCTV surveillance to detect armed criminals attempting to move their captives under the cover of darkness. A swift interception involving tactical vehicles and motorcycles forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding bush.
The rescued victims included five adult males, three adult females, and three children. The army emphasized that the operation demonstrated the effective integration of modern surveillance technology with rapid ground operations, underscoring its commitment to protecting lives and securing key routes across the region.
“This action reaffirms our resolve to deny criminals freedom of movement and ensures that no one is left at the mercy of kidnappers,” the statement added.
