The rescued victims
Armed Forces of Nigeria have rescued 15 abducted members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from Egume Forest in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, while troops across the country secured the freedom of 610 kidnap victims during coordinated operations in August.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during the military’s monthly operational briefing in Abuja.
According to him, the rescued corps members were among the 15 NYSC members kidnapped last week while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.
He said troops were still conducting search-and-rescue operations to locate the remaining victims and bring the kidnappers to justice.
The military also appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and support ongoing operations by providing credible and timely intelligence that could assist security forces in rescuing those still in captivity.
Major General Onoja noted that troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, operating in Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, recorded several successes against kidnappers during the month.
He said on August 10, troops rescued 16 kidnap victims along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe routes in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
A day later, another nine victims regained their freedom along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road after troops intercepted suspected kidnappers, forcing them to abandon their captives.
The operations continued on August 14 when soldiers rescued 13 victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road in Ofu and Dekina local government areas.
In another operation carried out on August 28, troops responded to a kidnapping incident involving a commercial vehicle on the Ogbulu-Alloma Road, compelling the kidnappers to flee and rescuing nine passengers and the driver, who were later evacuated for medical attention.
Major General Onoja said Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued a total of 38 kidnapped victims in August, while troops neutralised three terrorists and arrested 31 suspects.
Providing a nationwide operational update, he said the Armed Forces rescued 610 kidnap victims across different theatres of operation during the month.
He disclosed that Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, covering Kwara and Niger states, recorded the highest number of rescues with 329 victims freed, including 308 women and children rescued from the Kainji Lake National Park on August 5.
In the North-West, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 126 kidnap victims across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states, while also dismantling kidnapping syndicates and arresting suspected collaborators.
The Defence spokesman further stated that Operation HADIN KAI rescued 60 kidnap victims in the North-East, neutralised 114 terrorists, arrested 146 suspects and received the surrender of 201 terrorists and their family members.
He added that some of those rescued had spent years in terrorist captivity, including two women and two children rescued near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza, Borno State.
Similarly, troops under Operation ENDURING PEACE rescued 15 kidnap victims and arrested 82 suspected terrorists during operations in Plateau State and neighbouring areas.
Summarising military activities nationwide, Major General Onoja said troops neutralised over 324 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 373 suspects, recovered 88 firearms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition, while 201 insurgents surrendered to security forces during the period.
He also highlighted the contributions of the Nigerian Air Force, saying intelligence-driven reconnaissance missions and precision air strikes targeted terrorist hideouts in parts of Niger State, leading to the elimination of dozens of terrorists.
The military equally intensified its campaign against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
According to the briefing, troops under Operation DELTA SAFE, supported by maritime forces under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, dismantled 21 illegal refining sites and recovered large quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.
Major General Onoja said the Armed Forces would sustain the ongoing offensive against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements until they are completely denied the freedom to operate.
He also conveyed the commendation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, to troops for their commitment across various operational theatres and appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with actionable intelligence to enhance national security.
