Tinubu Hails Dramatic Rescue of 21 Kogi Kidnap Victims, Vows to Hunt Down Perpetrators

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised Nigeria’s security forces following the successful rescue of 21 people, including 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who were abducted in Kogi State.

The victims, who had been held by kidnappers after last week’s attack, were freed on Monday following a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving the military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes.

According to President Tinubu, the operation led security personnel to a kidnappers’ hideout in the forested areas of Ofu Local Government Area, where all 21 abductees were recovered. The group comprised eight males and 13 females.

The rescue represents a major breakthrough in efforts to recover the victims and comes amid heightened security operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.

Tinubu expressed relief over the safe recovery of the abductees and commended the security personnel and local support teams whose combined efforts contributed to the operation’s success.

The President disclosed that the rescued victims were receiving medical attention and undergoing necessary procedures before their eventual reunification with their families.

While celebrating the rescue, Tinubu made it clear that the operation would not mark the end of the hunt for those behind the abduction. He said security agencies remained on the trail of the fleeing kidnappers and would continue sustained operations against criminal networks.

The President warned that anyone found responsible for the abduction, including those who assisted the perpetrators, would be made to face the law.

Tinubu also acknowledged the ordeal endured by the victims and the anxiety suffered by their families during the period of captivity. He thanked relatives of the abductees for their patience and understanding while security agencies worked to secure their release.

The President specifically reassured parents and families of NYSC members that his administration remained committed to protecting corps members serving across the country, alongside other Nigerians.

He further reaffirmed his administration’s objective of creating a safer environment in which citizens can travel from one part of the country to another without living under the constant threat of kidnapping.

Tinubu concluded by commending the men and women serving in Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies for their courage and dedication, while urging them to maintain pressure on criminal elements until those responsible for the Kogi abductions are brought to justice.