By Olusegun Samuel Precious
A joint security team led by the Nigerian Armed Forces has successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims, including 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who were abducted last week in Kogi State.
The successful operation drew immediate praise from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who commended the security agencies and vowed that the perpetrators would be hunted down and brought to justice.
According to military sources, the rescue took place on Monday afternoon during a coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) mission within the dense forests of Ofu Local Government Area. The joint task force comprised personnel from the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilante groups.
Confirming the operation, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, stated that the 21 victims—comprising eight males and 13 females—were extracted from the Egume-Ochaja forest stretch under the 2 Division area of responsibility.
The 15 corps members were among passengers intercepted and abducted last week while traveling along the highway from Abuja to Bayelsa State.
Reacting via a statement on his official X account, President Tinubu expressed delight over the safe recovery of the corps members and civilians.
“I am delighted to receive the news that the fifteen members of the National Youth Service Corps and six other innocent, law-abiding Nigerians abducted last week in Kogi State have regained their freedom,” the President stated.
Commending the courage and tactical discipline of the joint operation force, President Tinubu directed security agencies to sustain offensive pressure against criminal networks nationwide, assuring parents and citizens of the government’s resolve to ensure safe transit across all highways.
Military authorities confirmed that the rescued corps members and civilians are currently receiving medical evaluations and psychosocial support before being reunited with their families, while clearance operations remain ongoing in the area to track down the fleeing bandits.
