Troops rescue 24 kidnap victims, including four Chinese in Kwara, Kogi
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 2nd Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, have rescued 24 kidnapped victims from various locations across Kwara and neighbouring Kogi States in North Central Nigeria.
The operation, carried out on Friday, October 17, was part of ongoing efforts under Operation FANSAN YAMA (2 Division/Sector 3) to flush out bandits and other criminal elements terrorising communities along the Kwara–Kogi border.
According to a statement by Polycarp Okoye (Lieutenant Colonel), acting deputy director of Army Public Relations for the 2 Division, Nigerian Army, and obtained by BusinessDay, the coordinated efforts of troops from the 12 Brigade Lokoja and 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin resulted in the successful rescue of the abducted individuals.
The rescued victims comprise 14 men, 5 women, 1 infant, and 4 Chinese nationals who were kidnapped from various locations across Kwara and Kogi States.
The abductors were said to have run away leaving the abductees, following troops’ intensified offensive, some of whom have been with them for over 4 months.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander of Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, who is overseeing the operation, ordered that the rescued victims be provided with first aid and other necessary relief materials.
Nnebeife reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to maintaining the ongoing offensive against criminal elements, emphasising that there will be no safe haven for bandits and other offenders within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
The rescued victims, most who are physically weak and could not walk unaided, owing to extreme exhaustion, are responding to treatment, had been evacuated to a military medical facility for medical attention, and will be reunited with their families upon full recovery.
Read also: 44% of informal businesses make less than N20,000 daily in revenue — report
The GOC commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its continuous air support throughout the operations, as well as other security agencies for the synergy in tackling the myriads of security challenges in the State.
In the same vein, the GOC commended the efforts of the troops and directed the Brigades to maintain the tempo of the operations towards restoring peace and security across Kwara, Kogi, and adjoining states within 2 Division AOR.
