The Nigerian Army has successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims during coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi States, reaffirming its commitment to tackling rising insecurity and criminal activities in the North-Central region.
The operation, carried out by troops of the 2 Division Nigerian Army, was conducted following credible intelligence reports about the movement of kidnappers and their hostages through forested areas along the Kabba–Obajana–Lokoja axis and parts of Ekiti Local Government Area in Kwara State.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to maintain security and restore peace in areas affected by banditry and kidnapping.
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“The troops acted swiftly based on actionable intelligence and successfully intercepted and rescued 21 victims who had been held captive by criminal elements in forests spanning Kwara and Kogi States,” Nwachukwu said. “All rescued persons have been handed over to relevant authorities for medical evaluation and reunification with their families.”
According to the statement, several kidnappers’ camps were destroyed during the clearance operation, while the troops recovered assorted weapons, including AK-47 rifles, magazines, live ammunition, and motorcycles used by the abductors.
Nwachukwu added that the military has intensified patrols and surveillance operations along key highways and border routes to prevent further abductions. “Our focus remains on denying criminals safe havens and ensuring the safety of citizens in all affected communities,” he said.
He further urged residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies, assuring that the Army remains resolute in its mission to rid the country of criminal threats.
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Residents of communities around Obajana, Kabba, and Patigi expressed relief over the successful rescue, praising the military for its prompt response and professional conduct.
Local vigilante leader, who assisted in the operation, said the swift intervention of the Army prevented what could have become another tragic mass abduction. “They came in the night and surrounded the kidnappers before daybreak. The rescue was very fast and coordinated,” he said.
The rescue operation is part of a broader counter-kidnapping strategy under Operation Whirl Stroke and Operation Safe Haven, which have been active across several northern states. In recent months, joint security operations involving the Army, Police, and DSS have resulted in the rescue of over 100 kidnap victims and the arrest of dozens of suspects.
Security analysts say the renewed military pressure on kidnappers in forested regions of the North-Central has disrupted major criminal networks, though they warn that sustained community collaboration is key to achieving lasting results.
A security researcher at the University of Ilorin, noted, “The Army’s consistent presence and coordinated intelligence sharing are yielding results, but long-term security depends on addressing local governance gaps that fuel criminal activity.”
The Army assured that the operation will continue until all criminal hideouts in the region are completely dismantled and the safety of lives and property fully restored.
