Operation in Nigeria Against Kidnapping Gang Results in Heavy Death Toll
An ongoing multi-agency security operation in central Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of around 200 suspected members of a criminal kidnapping gang, a state official told the BBC.
The offensive, launched over the weekend, targeted armed groups accused of carrying out kidnappings for ransom and other violent crimes across several regions of the country.
The campaign has focused on dense forest areas in Kogi state, where footage from a police helicopter shows settlements engulfed in flames following coordinated attacks by Nigerian security forces. Several bandit camps were reportedly destroyed during the operation, which involved the army, police, and paramilitary units working together to dismantle entrenched criminal networks.
Authorities say the offensive was prompted by a surge in high-profile mass abductions, including assaults on schools that sparked public outrage and intensified pressure on the government to act.
While the operation has led to significant casualties among suspected criminals, officials acknowledged that efforts to pursue those who have fled continue. Some hostages are being used as human shields, complicating the hunt for remaining gang members.
Kogi state’s strategic location linking Nigeria’s north and south has made it a focal point for bandit activity, and the recent offensive reflects broader efforts by national security forces to curb violent criminality and restore stability in affected communities.
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