The Nigerian Army says 14 kidnap victims were rescued in separate operations in Kogi, while sustaining pressure on criminal elements across the country.

The army disclosed this in its latest operational update covering August 15 and 16, on Sunday. In Kogi, the troops of 21 Battalion rescued 13 victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road in Ofu council area.

The troops had launched a search-and-rescue operation after the victims were kidnapped on Tuesday.

The operation covered the Emeweopada-Abocho axis in Dekina council area, where sustained military pressure forced the kidnappers to flee.

“The victims were subsequently released and taken to the palace of the Onu Abocho for further action. In another incident in Ofu, troops responding to a suspected kidnapping attack along the Ochadamu-Okabo Road rescued a pregnant woman abandoned by kidnappers.

“The troops had discovered that four civilians, including the pregnant woman, were abducted by the criminals. The kidnappers abandoned the woman and fled after sighting the advancing troops from a distance. The rescued woman was subsequently reunited with her family,” the report said.

In Plateau, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE responded to a report of the kidnapping of two civilians at Nhantina Village in Bokkos council area.

One of the victims had gunshot wounds and was evacuated to Bokkos Cottage Hospital for medical attention, while troops continued pursuit of the abductors.

“Meanwhile, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA arrested another suspect linked to a notorious arms and explosives dealer in Zamfara. The development followed the Aug. 14 arrest of the arms dealer while transporting 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zurmi Local Government Area.

“Based on information obtained from the suspect, troops of 1 Military Intelligence Regiment arrested another suspect at the Gusau Central Motor Park on August 15,” the report said.

In Sokoto, troops responding to a terrorist attack at Jijira Village in Sabon Birni council area forced the attackers to flee into nearby bushes. According to the report, troops have begun efforts to track the fleeing terrorists, rescue the abducted persons and recover the rustled livestock.

“Troops also foiled an attack by suspected armed militias targeting Murish Community in Mangu Local Government Area. Troops responded to reports of sporadic shooting, forcing the suspected militias to withdraw from the area. They subsequently dominated the area to deny the criminal elements freedom of action,” it added.

The latest operations underscored the military’s continued focus on disrupting kidnapping, terrorism and other criminal activities while supporting efforts to restore peace in affected communities.

(NAN)

Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses have won their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title after thrashing Malawi 3-0 in the final at the Prince Moulay Al Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday.

Cameroon produced a dominant performance from the opening whistle, racing into a commanding 3-0 lead before half-time to put the Scorchers under enormous pressure.

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Marie Gisèle Ngah Manga was the star of the final, scoring twice as Cameroon took control of the contest. Naomi Ndjoah Eto also found the net as the Indomitable Lionesses completed a remarkable first-half display.

The triumph marks a historic breakthrough for Cameroon, who had previously reached three WAFCON finals but lost all three — in 2004, 2014 and 2016.

Remarkably, the Central Africans had failed to score in any of those three previous finals, making Sunday’s four-goal victory even more significant.

The title also makes Cameroon only the fourth nation to win the WAFCON, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa in the exclusive group of champions.

For Malawi, the defeat brought an end to one of the tournament’s greatest fairytale runs.

The Scorchers reached the final on their debut appearance at the competition, inspired by the prolific Chawinga sisters.

Despite missing out on the trophy, Malawi’s historic campaign earned them a place in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside champions Cameroon.

The victory establishes Cameroon as the latest force in African women’s football and gives the Indomitable Lionesses their maiden continental crown after years of near misses.