Nigerian Army Rescues Eight Kidnap Victims

T Troops of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have successfully rescued eight civilians who were kidnapped along the Ikang–Cameroon waterways in Akwa Ibom State.

The operation, carried out by soldiers operating from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ikang, followed a swift and coordinated response to a distress call received on December 29, 2025.

According to a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Major Yemi Sokoya, the troops acted on credible intelligence provided by members of the local community. The intelligence revealed that suspected militants had intercepted a commercial boat on the waterways and abducted eight civilians, made up of six adults and two minors.

“Acting promptly on this information, the troops immediately deployed in pursuit of the perpetrators while simultaneously blocking possible escape routes and dominating the waterways,” the statement said. The rapid deployment, it noted, prevented the kidnappers from successfully fleeing with their captives.

The statement explained that the pressure mounted by the troops forced the militants to abandon the victims at the Ini-Abasi Fishing Port before fleeing into the creeks towards the high sea. The abandoned victims were subsequently recovered unharmed by the troops.

“The abandoned victims were subsequently and successfully recovered by the troops,” Sokoya stated, adding that no casualties were recorded during the operation. The rescued civilians were safely conveyed to the Brigade’s location, properly documented, and later released.

Meanwhile, the Commander of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General P. O. Alimikhena, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift response. He described the operation as a clear demonstration of the Army’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property within its area of responsibility.

Brigadier General Alimikhena also expressed appreciation to members of the local community for their timely and credible information, which he said was “instrumental to the successful rescue operation.” He reassured residents of the Brigade’s resolve to sustain aggressive patrols and deny criminal elements freedom of action in the waterways.

The Nigerian Army further encouraged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, stressing that community cooperation remains vital in the fight against kidnapping and other criminal activities.