Five kidnapped victims have regained their freedom following a successful military operation by troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in Kogi State.

The rescue operation was carried out on Wednesday as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts under the 2 Division Nigerian Army, which has intensified both ground and air offensives against terrorist camps hidden within forested areas of the state.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the victims were abandoned by their captors as the terrorists fled sustained military pressure.

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Abdullahi explained that the operation followed a recent air interdiction mission targeting a known terrorist hideout within the forest.

Troops from the Forward Operating Base Oshokoshoko were subsequently deployed on a blocking mission along the Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route in the Adankolo Forest.

“Acting on operational directives and following the recent air interdiction mission conducted against a known terrorist hideout within the forest, troops deployed from Forward Operating Base Oshokoshoko on a blocking mission along Oshokoshoko–Adankolo route within Adankolo Forest.

“During the operation, vigilant troops intercepted five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists while fleeing from the intense military pressure mounted on their camps,” the statement read.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims regained their freedom after the terrorists dispersed in the wake of ongoing military offensives targeting their hideouts.

The rescued individuals were immediately evacuated to a secure location before being transferred to a military medical facility, where they received medical care and stabilization.

The Army further disclosed that the victims were debriefed to gather intelligence that could support ongoing operations aimed at tracking down and neutralizing the remaining terrorists operating within the area.

Military authorities said efforts are underway to reunite the victims with their families after completing the necessary medical and administrative procedures.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Kasim Sidi, commended the troops for their vigilance, resilience, and professionalism during the operation.

He also urged residents of Kogi State to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible intelligence, stressing that public cooperation remains crucial in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities in the region.

The Katsina State Government has announced a series of stringent security measures aimed at tackling the growing menace of banditry and kidnapping across the state.

Governor Dikko Radda unveiled the new directives through an Executive Order issued after an emergency security meeting attended by security agencies, traditional rulers, and key stakeholders.

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According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, the measures are intended to cut off logistics and communication channels allegedly used by criminal groups operating within the state.

Among the new directives is an immediate ban on the sale, purchase, transportation, and storage of petroleum products in jerrycans across Katsina State.

The statement said, “The measure is designed to prevent the diversion of fuel supplies to criminal elements operating in remote locations.”

The government also ordered the immediate closure of all Point of Sale (POS) businesses and commercial phone-charging points in Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas, citing security reports indicating that such facilities were being exploited by criminal networks.

In addition, the use of motorcycles has been prohibited throughout Matazu and Musawa LGAs. Authorities believe the restriction will significantly disrupt the movement and operations of bandits and kidnappers who frequently rely on motorcycles for transportation.

Explaining the rationale behind the decision, the statement noted, “Security assessments have shown that these facilities are being exploited by criminal networks to facilitate their activities.”

Governor Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that the safety of residents remains a top priority.

He assured citizens that the government would continue collaborating with security agencies to restore peace and stability across all parts of the state.

The governor also urged residents to support ongoing security efforts by complying with the new directives and providing useful information to security agencies whenever necessary.

Warning against violations of the order, the government stated that defaulters would face the full weight of the law.

“The Katsina State Government remains committed to taking all lawful and necessary measures to ensure that communities across the state remain safe, secure and conducive to economic and social activities,” the statement added.

The United Kingdom has announced 70 new sanctions against Russia, escalating efforts to pressure Moscow into ending its prolonged war against Ukraine.

The measures were unveiled on Tuesday by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a special session of the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, where leaders of the world’s leading economies gathered to discuss support for Ukraine and ways to increase pressure on the Kremlin.

The latest sanctions target Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, military procurement networks, and financial channels allegedly used to bypass existing international restrictions.

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Announcing the move, Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to working with its allies to weaken Russia’s war capabilities.

“Working with our G7 allies, we will continue to increase the pressure on Putin and his circle of collaborators until Russia’s war machine is brought to a halt and peace returns to our continent,” Starmer said.

According to a joint statement issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Prime Minister’s Office, the sanctions are aimed at Russia’s “decrepit shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks used to circumvent sanctions.”

The statement added that the measures “will choke Russia’s war effort across multiple fronts” by targeting key sectors supporting Moscow’s military operations.

Among those affected are more than 20 oil tankers linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of vessels reportedly used to transport energy products and other assets under different national flags in an attempt to evade sanctions.

The UK government also revealed that Britain has become the first G7 member nation to sanction several Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessels recently acquired by Russia to support its already-sanctioned Arctic LNG project.

The announcement comes shortly after fresh Russian missile and drone attacks struck several locations across Ukraine on Monday, killing at least 11 people and triggering a fire at one of Kyiv’s most significant Orthodox monasteries.

Starmer is expected to urge fellow G7 leaders to take stronger collective action in support of Ukraine.

According to his office, the British leader will tell the summit that “the G7 should collectively go further to ensure Ukraine secures the just and lasting peace it deserves.”

In addition to the sanctions package, the UK government announced a new agreement to provide enriched uranium for Ukraine’s nuclear power stations.

The deal, backed by £210 million ($282 million) in export finance, will allow UK-based nuclear fuel supplier Urenco to deliver enriched uranium to Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear energy company, Energoatom.

British officials said the arrangement is expected to help power Ukraine’s nuclear facilities for the next two years as the country continues to grapple with the impact of the ongoing conflict.