Kogi Forest Operation: Police, Military rescue 10 NYSC members from kidnappers

Ten National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were abducted by suspected kidnappers in Kogi State have been rescued.

The corps members were rescued from Egume Forest in Ofu Local Government Area of the state during a joint operation by the police, military, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security and auxiliary forces.

The victims were among 15 corps members who were kidnapped last week while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.

Following the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly contacted some of the victims’ families and demanded N20 million as ransom for each corps member.

However, the Kogi State Police Command said the rescue operation was carried out through a coordinated, sustained and intelligence-driven effort by the security agencies.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Afusat Saliu, said the operation was launched to rescue the victims, disrupt the activities of criminals operating in the area and arrest those responsible for the abduction.

She said the operation was still ongoing, with security agencies working to rescue the remaining victims.

“The operation is still ongoing, with the potential to rescue all the kidnapped victims. Security forces have intensified operations within the area while simultaneously pursuing the perpetrators,” she said.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, praised the police, military, DSS and other security personnel for their courage, professionalism and commitment during the operation.

He also thanked residents of the affected communities for providing useful information that helped the security agencies in their operations.

The police urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant and to report any suspicious movement or information that could help in rescuing the remaining victims and arresting the kidnappers.

The command assured residents that all available resources were being used to ensure the safe recovery of the remaining corps members and the arrest of those responsible for the abduction.

It added that further updates would be provided when necessary.