The Nigerian military has rescued 21 kidnapped victims, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps, from a forest between Egume and Ochaja in Kogi State.
The rescue came as the Armed Forces vowed to sustain military operations in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State and other areas affected by terrorism and kidnapping.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, announced the rescue on Monday while giving an update on military operations across the country.
Onoja said the 21 victims comprised eight males and 13 females. He explained that 15 of those rescued were NYSC members who were kidnapped last week while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is also happy to announce that a total of 21 victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, 15 of them being National Youth Service Corps members, have just been rescued within the Egume and Ochaja forest stretch in 2 Division area of operation,” he said.
The rescue is a major relief to the families of the victims, particularly the relatives of the corps members who were travelling to their places of primary assignment when they were abducted.
The development also highlights the continued security challenges faced by travellers on major roads across the country, where kidnappers have targeted motorists and passengers for ransom.
Security agencies have in recent years increased operations along known kidnapping routes and in forests believed to be used as hideouts by criminal groups. However, kidnappings continue to pose a major challenge in several parts of the country.
The latest rescue operation followed increased military activity against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups in different parts of Nigeria.
Onoja said the military was also maintaining pressure on criminal elements in Niger State, particularly in Borgu Local Government Area and areas around the Kainji Lake National Park.
He said the Armed Forces was working with other security agencies and state government institutions through intelligence sharing and joint efforts to identify areas requiring security intervention.
According to him, the security forces’ recent successes showed that sustained operations and cooperation could help locate and rescue abducted persons.
He referred to the rescue of 308 abducted persons, mostly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on August 5 as another major achievement.
“The recent rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on the 5th of August, alongside subsequent operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement within the Borgu axis, demonstrates the commitment and capability of the security forces to locate, rescue, and safely return affected citizens,” Onoja said.
The Kainji Lake National Park, which covers parts of Niger and Kwara states, has in recent years been identified as an area where armed groups and other criminals can take advantage of large forested areas to hide and move between communities.
The military has therefore increased operations around the park and other identified routes in an effort to prevent terrorists and kidnappers from using the area as a safe haven.
Onoja said troops were continuing to maintain pressure on terrorists operating in and around the park.
He said the objective was not only to prevent further attacks but also to create conditions that would allow displaced residents to return safely to their communities.
He assured residents of Borgu and neighbouring communities that military operations would continue until the security threats were significantly reduced.
“The Armed Forces, therefore, reassures the people of Borgu and their communities that military operations against terrorists and criminals will be sustained in the local government area and its environs to ensure the safety of the community,” he said.
The military spokesman also appealed to families of abducted persons to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
He said the military understood the fear and uncertainty faced by families whose relatives had been kidnapped but warned that desperate actions could interfere with rescue operations.
“To the families of the victims and all persons affected by the heinous activities of terrorists and criminals, the Armed Forces acknowledges the anxiety, pain, and uncertainty that accompanies the loss or affliction of family members and friends,” he said.
“We want to urge everybody to remain calm and have confidence in the ongoing efforts of the military and other security agencies, while avoiding actions that could compromise rescue or recovery operations.”
He stressed the importance of credible information from members of the public, saying useful intelligence remained vital to the success of military operations.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, according to Onoja, has directed troops to remain committed to rescuing kidnapped persons, protecting civilians and creating conditions for internally displaced persons to return home.
The military chief also urged troops to operate with determination, professionalism and courage in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality.
Giving an account of military operations in August, Onoja said troops neutralised more than 332 terrorists and criminals, arrested 373 suspects and rescued 610 kidnapped victims across the country.
He added that 201 insurgents surrendered to the military during the month.
Troops also recovered 88 arms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition during the operations, according to the Defence Media Operations director.
The figures cover operations against terrorist groups, armed criminals and other threats across different parts of the country.
The military also reported progress in the fight against oil theft, another major security and economic challenge facing Nigeria.
Onoja said troops recovered 686,800 litres of stolen crude oil products and destroyed 21 illegal refining sites during the month.
Illegal oil refining and crude oil theft have continued to affect Nigeria’s oil-producing communities and the country’s revenue. Security agencies have consequently increased operations against illegal refineries, oil thieves and other groups involved in economic sabotage.
Onoja said the August results showed an improvement in the military’s operational effectiveness.
He attributed the gains to increased military operations, better intelligence gathering and stronger cooperation between the Armed Forces, other security agencies and government institutions.
One of the key signs of increased pressure on terrorist groups, he said, was the rise in the number of insurgents surrendering to troops.
According to him, only 11 terrorists surrendered in June, but the figure increased to 57 in July and 201 in August.
The military believes the increase reflects growing pressure on terrorist groups as troops intensify operations against their camps, supply routes and areas of movement.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff commended troops for their sacrifices and commitment in rescuing kidnapped citizens, confronting terrorists and armed criminals, dismantling criminal networks and protecting critical national assets.
The latest rescue of the 21 victims in Kogi is therefore part of a wider military effort to tackle kidnapping and terrorism.
For the rescued NYSC members, the operation brings an end to a period of fear and uncertainty after their journey from Abuja to Bayelsa was interrupted by their abductors.
The military is expected to continue operations in Kogi, Niger and other parts of the country where criminal groups have established hideouts.