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•15 NYSC members, six others rescued •DHQ vows to free Niger abductees •Military kills 332 terrorists, rescues 610 in August
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Molly Kilete, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has vowed that those behind the abduction of 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and six other Nigerians in Kogi State would face the full weight of the law, as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the rescue of all 21 victims and pledged to sustain operations to free abducted residents of Niger State.
The victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued from the Egume-Ochaja forest axis in Kogi State in a coordinated operation involving the military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes.
Fifteen of the rescued victims were NYSC members abducted last week while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.
Tinubu, in a statement posted on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, expressed relief over their rescue but warned that security forces would continue hunting the fleeing kidnappers and everyone who aided the crime.
“Those responsible will face the full weight of the law, and our security agencies will pursue everyone who aided this crime,” the President declared.
He said the rescue would not mark the end of the operation against the abductors.
“While the abductees have been safely rescued, our gallant security forces are still on the trail of the routed kidnappers, in line with my directive to sustain the pressure on all criminal elements,” Tinubu said.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who separately confirmed the rescue at a briefing on military operations across the country in August, said the victims were recovered within the Egume-Ochaja forest stretch in the 2 Division area of operation.
“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 Egume and Ochaja forest stretch in 2 Division area of operation,” Onoja said.
Tinubu said the victims were receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families.
“I am delighted to receive the news that the fifteen members of the National Youth Service Corps and six other innocent and law-abiding Nigerians abducted last week in Kogi State by some criminal elements have regained their freedom,” he said.
The President commended the combined search-and-rescue team for its courage and professionalism and reassured families of corps members that his administration remained committed to their safety.
“My administration remains committed to ensuring that every Nigerian can travel across our country without fear,” Tinubu said.
“As I share in the relief and joy of the parents and loved ones of the rescued individuals, I want to once again assure parents and loved ones of our dedicated corps members that my Administration remains committed to ensuring the safety of their lives and property, as well as those of other Nigerians.”
The DHQ, meanwhile, assured residents of Borgu and other communities in Niger State that intensified military operations would be sustained until abducted residents were rescued and terrorist threats in the area substantially degraded.
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Onoja said troops were maintaining pressure on terrorists operating within and around the Kainji Lake National Park and other identified corridors to deny them freedom of movement and create conditions for displaced residents to return home.
He cited the August 5 rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park as evidence of the security forces’ capacity to locate and rescue victims.
“The recent rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on the 5th of August, alongside subsequent operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement within the Borgu axis, demonstrates the commitment and capability of the security forces to locate, rescue, and safely return affected citizens.
“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.”
The DHQ appealed to families of those still in captivity to remain calm and avoid actions capable of jeopardising ongoing rescue operations.
“To the families of the victims and all persons affected by the heinous activities of terrorists and criminals, the Armed Forces acknowledges the anxiety, pain, and uncertainty that accompanies the loss or affliction of family members and friends,” Onoja said.
“We want to urge everybody to remain calm and have confidence in the ongoing efforts of the military and other security agencies, while avoiding actions that could compromise rescue or recovery operations.”
He said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, remained committed to rescuing abducted Nigerians, protecting civilians and facilitating the return of internally displaced persons to their communities.
According to him, the CDS had directed troops to continue operations against terrorists and other criminal elements with determination, professionalism and courage.
Giving an account of military operations in August, Onoja disclosed that troops neutralised more than 332 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 373 suspects and rescued 610 kidnapped victims across the country.
Another 201 insurgents surrendered to troops during the month, while 88 weapons and 2,077 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
The military also recovered 686,800 litres of stolen crude oil products and destroyed 21 illegal refining sites in operations against oil theft and economic sabotage.
Onoja said the August figures represented an improvement in operational effectiveness, which he attributed to intensified kinetic and non-kinetic operations, better intelligence gathering and enhanced inter-agency cooperation.
He disclosed that the number of terrorists surrendering to troops increased from 11 in June to 57 in July and 201 in August, saying the trend reflected mounting military pressure on terrorist groups.
The CDS, according to him, commended troops for their sacrifices in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists and armed criminals, dismantling criminal networks, disrupting illegal oil bunkering and protecting critical national assets.
