Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued a woman and her six-month-old child following a kidnapping incident in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, amid renewed efforts by the state government to strengthen security operations.

The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lt. Ahmad Hassan Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

Abdullahi said the victims were rescued after troops responded to a distress call and pursued the kidnappers.

According to him, the incident occurred late on Wednesday when armed men invaded a residence near Solid Rock School in the Ijalu area of Egbe and abducted five family members.

“Upon receiving the distress report, troops immediately mobilised in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), launching a pursuit operation along the terrorists’ withdrawal route,” he said.

He added that sustained pressure from troops and local vigilantes forced the kidnappers to abandon Mrs Adekemi Idowu and her six-month-old child near the Oro axis before fleeing into the surrounding area.

The army spokesperson said the rescued victims had been safely reunited with their family, while security operatives had continued search operations to rescue the remaining captives and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

The latest rescue comes as the Kogi State Government intensifies efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture.

Governor Usman Ododo yesterday commissioned a fully equipped Police Force Violent Crime Response Unit in Lokoja, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Joel Salifu, at the inauguration, Ododo said the facility formed part of efforts to improve the operational capacity of law enforcement agencies in tackling violent crimes.

The governor said security remained central to his administration’s development agenda, noting that economic growth and prosperity could only thrive in a peaceful and secure environment.

He said the Violent Crime Response Unit had recorded successes in combating criminal activities despite operating from a shared facility, adding that the increasing scope of its responsibilities necessitated the construction of a dedicated operational headquarters.

Ododo also announced the donation of four Toyota Hilux operational vehicles, a bulletproof Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carrier and three Toyota Sienna vehicles to enhance the unit’s rapid response and crime-fighting capabilities.

He urged officers of the unit to remain professional, disciplined and courageous in carrying out their duties, assuring them of sustained government support.