The Nigerian military has rescued 21 kidnapped victims, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), during an operation in a forest area of Kogi State.
The victims were rescued from the Egume-Ochaja forest stretch in Kogi State following intensified military operations aimed at locating abducted persons and disrupting the activities of criminal elements operating in the area.
The development was disclosed on Monday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who said the rescued victims comprised eight males and 13 females. Fifteen of those rescued were NYSC members.
According to Onoja, the victims were successfully recovered within the Egume and Ochaja forest stretch, which falls under the operational area of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division.
“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,” Onoja said.
The rescue comes days after reports that 15 NYSC members were abducted while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State. Their abduction had generated concern among families, colleagues and members of the public, particularly because the victims were travelling as part of their national service obligations.
The latest operation has therefore provided relief to the affected families and strengthened renewed calls for improved security along major highways and other routes frequently used by travellers across the country.
The military said the successful rescue was made possible through continued cooperation between military formations, other security agencies and state government institutions. Onoja explained that intelligence sharing and the identification of locations requiring security intervention remained important components of ongoing operations.
He said the military and other security agencies had continued to intensify efforts to locate victims of kidnapping while putting pressure on criminal groups operating in forested and difficult-to-access areas.
The development also comes amid broader military operations in parts of Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Onoja referred to the rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on August 5 as another indication of the security forces’ continued efforts to locate and rescue victims of criminal and terrorist activities.
According to him, troops have continued to mount pressure on terrorists operating within and around the Kainji Lake National Park and other identified corridors. The objective, he said, is to prevent further incursions, restrict the movement of criminal elements and create conditions that would allow displaced residents to safely return to their communities.
The military also assured residents of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State and surrounding communities that operations would continue against terrorists and criminals in the area.
“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,” Onoja said.
The Defence Media Operations chief further appealed to families of abducted persons to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies. He stressed that credible information from members of the public could assist the military in locating victims and bringing rescue operations to a successful conclusion.
He also cautioned families and other concerned individuals against taking actions that could compromise ongoing rescue or recovery operations.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, was said to remain committed to the rescue of kidnapped victims, protection of civilians and the creation of conditions that would enable internally displaced persons to return to their communities.
The military leadership has consequently directed troops to continue operating with determination, professionalism and courage in the ongoing fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
The rescue of the 21 victims, including the 15 NYSC members, represents a significant development in efforts to combat kidnapping and protect Nigerians travelling across the country.
However, the incident also highlights the continuing security challenges faced by travellers, particularly on routes passing through isolated areas and forest corridors. Security agencies are expected to sustain operations in affected locations while strengthening intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation to prevent further abductions.
For the rescued NYSC members and their families, the operation brings an end to a period of uncertainty and anxiety, while the military’s continued operations are expected to focus on preventing similar incidents and ensuring the safety of citizens across vulnerable areas.
