The Military High Command has confirmed the rescue of 21 kidnapped victims, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), from the Egume-Ochaja forest in Kogi State.
Key Highlights
- 21 kidnapped victims rescued in Kogi State.
- 15 NYSC members were among those rescued.
- Victims comprised eight males and 13 females.
- The NYSC members were kidnapped while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.
- Military operations in August led to the rescue of 610 kidnapped victims nationwide.
- Troops also neutralised 332 terrorists and criminals and arrested 373 suspects.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed the rescue on Monday during the monthly briefing of defence correspondents on ongoing military operations across the country.
Onoja said the 21 victims were rescued within the Egume and Ochaja forest stretch in the 2 Division area of operation.
“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 Egume and Ochaja forest stretch in 2 Division area of operation,” he said.
The NYSC members were among victims kidnapped last week while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.
Military Intensifies Rescue Operations
Onoja said the latest rescue formed part of intensified military operations against terrorists and criminal elements across the country.
He said the military was working with other security agencies and state institutions through intelligence sharing and coordinated security interventions.
The Defence spokesman also cited the rescue of 308 abducted persons, mainly women and children, from Kainji Lake National Park on August 5 as evidence of the military’s ongoing efforts to locate and rescue victims.
He said troops were maintaining pressure on terrorists operating around the Kainji Lake National Park and other identified corridors to prevent further attacks and create conditions for displaced residents to return home.
Onoja reassured residents of Borgu and neighbouring communities that military operations would continue until the security threats were sufficiently degraded.
He also urged families of abducted persons to remain calm and avoid actions that could compromise ongoing rescue operations.
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Military Rescues 610 Kidnap Victims in August
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.
He added that 201 insurgents surrendered, while troops recovered 88 firearms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition during the month.
The military also recovered 686,800 litres of stolen crude oil products and destroyed 21 illegal refining sites as part of operations against oil theft and economic sabotage.
Onoja attributed the gains to intensified military operations, improved intelligence gathering and stronger cooperation among security agencies.
He disclosed that the number of terrorists who surrendered increased from 11 in June to 57 in July and 201 in August, describing the trend as an indication of growing pressure on terrorist groups.
The Defence spokesman said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, remained committed to rescuing abducted citizens, protecting civilians and supporting the return of internally displaced persons to their communities.
