Security forces have rescued 21 kidnapped victims, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), from a forest in Kogi State.
The victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued from the Egume–Ochaja forest stretch in Kogi State following a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, confirmed the rescue on Monday during a briefing on ongoing military operations across the country.
According to Onoja, 15 of the 21 rescued victims were NYSC members who were among those abducted last week while travelling between Abuja and Bayelsa State.
He said the victims were rescued within the Egume and Ochaja forest stretch in the 2 Division area of operation.
The development was also confirmed by President Bola Tinubu, who said the rescue operation was carried out by a combined team of military personnel, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes.
The President said all 21 abductees were safely rescued from the kidnappers’ den in Kogi State.
The rescue comes amid intensified security operations against criminal elements and kidnappers operating across parts of the country.
The successful operation has brought relief to the families and loved ones of the abducted NYSC members and other victims, who had been held captive for days.
Security authorities have continued to emphasise the importance of intelligence sharing and collaboration among security agencies in tackling kidnapping and other forms of criminality across the country.
