President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, have commended security agencies and operatives following the successful rescue of 21 persons abducted along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road in Kogi State.
The victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued on Monday, during a coordinated security operation conducted by troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilante groups.
President Tinubu, in a statement on Monday, expressed delight over the safe rescue of the victims, including 15 National Youth Service Corps members and six other Nigerians.
He commended the combined Search and Rescue team for its courage and coordination, assuring Nigerians that his administration remain committed to ensuring that citizens could travel across the country without fear.
Tinubu said security forces are after the kidnappers and directed that those responsible for the abduction, as well as anyone who aided the crime, should face the full weight of the law.
The President also assured the families of the rescued victims, particularly the parents and families of the corps members, of the continued commitment of his administration to protecting lives and property.
Similarly, Governor Ododo, in a press statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, commended the joint security forces for the successful operation, describing it as a demonstration of tactical excellence and effective inter-agency collaboration.
Ododo expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for equipping the nation’s security forces to combat violent crimes and commended the heads and personnel of the various security agencies involved in the operation.
He also praised the National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General of the DSS, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as local security operatives, for their response to the incident.
The operation followed reports of the mass abduction of road users along the axis, with the security teams acting on credible intelligence to search the Egume and Ochaja forest areas of Dekina Local Government Area.
The Army said the victims are currently in the custody of the troops, with arrangements underway to hand them over to the appropriate authorities before being reunited with their families.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, also commended the troops, other security personnel, local hunters and vigilantes for their courage and cooperation in securing the release of the victims.
