No fewer than 22 people abducted by suspected bandits have regained their freedom following a coordinated security operation carried out in forests along the Kwara-Kogi border.
The victims were rescued during a joint operation involving military personnel, police officers, local hunters and vigilante groups operating under the Kogi State Joint Security Forces.
The development was disclosed on Sunday in a statement issued by the Kwara South Joint Security Watch, which commended the security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the captives.
According to the group, the operation was carried out in forests believed to serve as hideouts for armed criminal groups operating along the boundary between Kwara and Kogi states.
The statement said the rescued victims have since been reunited with their families after spending weeks and, in some cases, months in captivity.
Among those rescued were four residents of Idofin-Igbana in Kwara South who were kidnapped about three months ago.
The statement also revealed that 15 members of a church congregation from Eda Oniyo, who were abducted during a night vigil on April 28, 2026, were among those freed during the operation.
In addition, three members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Omugo, who were kidnapped while attending a church service in early April, also regained their freedom.
The Kwara South Joint Security Watch described the rescue as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and banditry in the area.
According to the statement, some other victims who regained their freedom during the operation are yet to be formally identified.
“There are also others yet to be identified who regained their freedom from the same proactive actions in Kogi State.
“We give glory to God for answered prayers. We commend the bravery and sacrifice of the Kogi State Joint Security Operatives,” the statement said.
The latest rescue comes weeks after reports emerged that five members of the ECWA congregation kidnapped in Omugo had died while in captivity.
The circumstances surrounding their deaths have yet to be officially confirmed, although the incident sparked widespread concern among residents and religious groups in the affected communities.
The abduction of worshippers during church services has become one of the disturbing trends in recent years, with criminal gangs increasingly targeting religious gatherings, schools, highways and rural communities.
The rescue operation has therefore brought relief to many families who had spent months hoping for the safe return of their loved ones.
Communities in Kwara South have experienced repeated attacks by armed kidnappers, particularly in settlements close to forests that stretch into neighbouring Kogi State.
The challenge has prompted closer collaboration between security agencies in both states to improve intelligence sharing and coordinate operations against bandit groups.
In recent months, the Nigerian military, police and other security agencies have intensified operations in forests across the North-Central region as part of efforts to dismantle criminal camps and rescue kidnapped victims.
Local hunters and vigilante groups have also played increasing roles in supporting conventional security agencies because of their knowledge of the terrain.
Authorities have repeatedly stressed that cooperation between communities and security agencies remains essential to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Residents have been encouraged to report suspicious movements promptly and provide useful information that could help security agencies prevent attacks or rescue victims.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained one of Nigeria’s major security challenges, with many victims spending weeks or months in captivity before regaining their freedom through rescue operations or negotiations.
The crime has affected several parts of the country, particularly communities located near forests where armed gangs establish camps beyond the reach of regular patrols.
Although security agencies have recorded several successes against criminal groups in recent months, attacks and abductions continue to occur in parts of the North-Central, North-West and other regions.
The latest operation along the Kwara-Kogi border is expected to strengthen public confidence in the ongoing collaboration between security agencies in the two states.
Residents and community leaders have continued to call for sustained military presence and regular patrols in vulnerable areas to prevent criminals from returning to the forests after security operations.
For many of the rescued victims and their families, the successful operation marks the end of a painful period of uncertainty and anxiety.
The Kwara South Joint Security Watch expressed appreciation to the security personnel involved in the operation, describing their courage and sacrifice as vital to restoring hope in communities affected by kidnapping and banditry.