Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army, based in Sobi, Kwara State, have successfully rescued nine kidnapped victims in Patigi Local Government Area of the state.
The victims, who were abducted from Matokun community, were freed by soldiers deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Patigi, following days of search and military operations in the area.
According to reliable security sources, the rescued individuals were handed over to the Patigi Local Government Council, represented by the Speaker of the council, Mohammed Usman Alhaji.
Following the handover, the council transported the victims to an undisclosed hospital for medical care and recovery. Officials said the victims were in stable condition but undergoing further evaluation.
The 22 Armoured Brigade reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property in Kwara, also known as the State of Harmony. It assured residents that the military will continue its operations to secure the release of any remaining abductees and restore peace to affected communities.
The rescue comes after a deadly bandit attack on September 23, 2025, when gunmen stormed several villages in Patigi LGA. During the attack on Matokun community, a pregnant woman was killed, several residents were injured, and eight people were kidnapped. The incident raised alarm across the state and drew widespread condemnation.
Local residents, traditional rulers, and public officials had since called for urgent military intervention to curb the rising threat of kidnapping and banditry in rural parts of Kwara.
Speaking on behalf of the people of Patigi, Mohammed Gana Alhaji expressed deep gratitude to the 22 Armoured Brigade and praised the troops for their tireless efforts to secure the area.
“We thank the soldiers for standing with our communities and restoring hope to families affected by these attacks,” he said.
Security remains tight in the area, as the military continues surveillance and intelligence-led operations to prevent future attacks and disrupt criminal hideouts within and around Patigi.
