The Nigerian military has 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 during ongoing military operations in the area.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, announced the development on Monday, stating that 15 of the rescued victims were NYSC members abducted last week while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.
The rescue comes amid intensified military operations against terrorists and criminal groups across the country.
Onoja said the military was working closely with other security agencies and relevant state institutions through intelligence sharing and coordinated operations to locate and rescue abducted persons.
He also disclosed that troops rescued 308 abducted persons, mainly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on August 5.
According to him, military formations have continued to maintain pressure on criminal elements operating around the Kainji Lake National Park and the Borgu axis of Niger State to prevent further attacks and facilitate the return of displaced residents.
The Defence Media Operations chief urged families of kidnapped victims to remain calm and provide credible information to security agencies, warning against actions that could compromise ongoing rescue operations.
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Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu welcomed the safe rescue of the 21 victims, describing the development as a source of relief.
The President said the rescued NYSC members and other victims were receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families.
He also disclosed that security forces were pursuing the fleeing kidnappers and vowed that those responsible for the abductions would face the full weight of the law.
Tinubu commended the search-and-rescue teams for their courage and reassured parents and guardians of NYSC members that his administration remained committed to protecting their lives and property.
Giving an overview of military operations in August, Onoja said troops neutralised more than 332 terrorists and criminals, arrested 373 suspects and rescued 610 kidnapped victims.
He added that 201 insurgents surrendered during the month, while troops recovered 88 firearms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition.
The military also recovered 686,800 litres of stolen crude oil products and destroyed 21 illegal refining sites during operations against oil theft and economic sabotage.
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