Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kogi State Government has commended the joint security forces for the successful rescue of 21 kidnapped victims in Dekina Local Government Area, describing the operation as a demonstration of tactical excellence and effective inter-agency collaboration. The victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps, were rescued on Monday, August 31, 2026. The operation was carried out by troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilante groups.
The rescue operation was launched following reports of the abduction of road users along the Alloma-Ejule-Itobe road axis. Acting on credible intelligence, the security teams conducted a coordinated search of the Egume and Ochaja forest areas, leading to the rescue of all 21 victims. One of the rescued male victims sustained a gunshot injury and was promptly evacuated to a medical facility for treatment. According to Radio Kogi, 10 corps members were earlier rescued from Egume forest, while the remaining 11 victims were rescued on Sunday following intense pressure mounted on the abductors, who abandoned their captives and fled.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the successful operation further demonstrated the determination of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to make criminality a regrettable venture for perpetrators. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for equipping the nation's security forces to effectively combat violent crimes across the country. He also commended the heads of the various security agencies, as well as the officers and men who participated in the operation.
Governor Ododo issued a stern warning to criminals, declaring: "Criminals will always regret stepping their feet on Kogi State. We will never wag our tails before cowards who take arms against the state. Kogi is always ready to obliterate any threat to lives and property in the state". He also commended the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and all local security operatives for their organisational acumen, courage and effective response to the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, commended the gallantry and professionalism of the operatives and appreciated residents of the affected communities for providing credible information that led to the success of the operation. The police assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice, while urging residents to remain calm, vigilant and avoid spreading unverified information capable of jeopardising security operations. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, also commended the troops and personnel of the other security agencies for their courage, cooperation and commitment to the successful operation.
Governor Ododo urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that citizens' cooperation remained crucial to tackling kidnapping and other forms of criminality. The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention and undergoing debriefing.
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