Tinubu Reacts as Military Rescues 15 NYSC Members, Six Others in Kogi

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the rescue of 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and six other Nigerians abducted by criminal elements in Kogi State.

The 21 victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued on Monday from the Egume-Ochaja forest stretch in Ofu Local Government Area of the state following a coordinated search-and-rescue operation by security agencies and local vigilantes.

Politics Nigeria reports that the NYSC members were reportedly abducted last week while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.

Reacting to the development, Tinubu, in a statement posted on his social media handles, described the rescue as a source of relief and joy to the victims’ families, while commending the security personnel involved in the operation.

“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,” the President said.

According to him, the operation involved personnel of the military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and local vigilantes, who worked together to safely recover the victims from the kidnappers’ hideout.

Tinubu said the rescued victims were receiving medical attention before their reunification with their families.

He, however, warned that the operation would not end with the recovery of the abductees, stressing that security forces had continued to pursue the fleeing kidnappers.

“Those responsible will face the full weight of the law, and our security agencies will pursue everyone who aided this crime,” he said.

The President further assured Nigerians, particularly families of corps members, that his administration remained committed to protecting lives and property and creating an environment where citizens could travel across the country without fear.

Meanwhile, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, confirmed the rescue, saying the victims were recovered from the Egume and Ochaja forest stretch within the 2 Division area of operation.

Onoja said the military would sustain its operations in other areas facing security threats, particularly Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, where residents have also been abducted.

He said the military was working with other security agencies and state institutions through intelligence sharing and coordinated interventions to locate victims and disrupt criminal activities.

The Defence spokesman pointed to the rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, from Kainji Lake National Park on August 5 as evidence of the security forces’ ongoing efforts to deny terrorists and criminal groups freedom of movement.

He assured residents of Borgu and neighbouring communities that troops would maintain pressure on terrorists and criminals operating in the area until the threats were sufficiently degraded.

Onoja also appealed to families of abducted persons to remain calm and provide credible information to security agencies, warning against actions capable of compromising rescue operations.

The latest rescue comes as the military reported significant operational gains across the country in August.

According to Onoja, troops neutralised more than 332 terrorists and criminals, arrested 373 suspects and rescued 610 kidnapped victims during the month.

He added that 201 insurgents surrendered to the military, while troops recovered 88 firearms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition.

In the fight against economic sabotage, the military also recovered 686,800 litres of stolen crude oil products and destroyed 21 illegal refining sites.

Onoja attributed the gains to intensified military operations, improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration among security agencies.

He said the number of terrorists who surrendered to the military rose sharply from 11 in June to 57 in July and 201 in August, describing the trend as an indication of increasing pressure on terrorist groups.