Twenty-one kidnap victims have been rescued in coordinated operations carried out by troops of the 12 Brigade and 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Kwara and Kogi States.
The victims — comprising 14 males, five females, an infant, and four Chinese nationals — were freed on October 17 during the joint operations.
In a statement on Saturday, the spokesman of 2 Division, Lt.-Col. Polycarp Okoye, said the victims were rescued from different locations across the two states following intensified offensive operations against the abductors.
He said some of the victims had been in captivity for over four months.
According to Okoye, after their release, the victims were provided with necessary first aid and other relief items to assist them in recovering from the trauma they had endured at the hands of their abductors.
Read Also: FG launches data-driven reform to clean up civil service records
He said: “The rescued victims were immediately evacuated to a military medical facility for medical attention.
“Most of them who were physically weak and could not walk unaided, owing to extreme exhaustion, are responding to treatment, and will be reunited with their families upon full recovery.”
Okoye said the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division and Commander Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMA, Maj.-Gen. C.R. Nnebeife, who has been coordinating the operations, expressed sympathy for the victims and reassured residents that the Division remains committed to sustaining the ongoing onslaught against all criminal elements.
Read Also: North-East is more secure now – Army
He said Maj.-Gen Nnebeife also assured that there will be no hiding place for bandits and other criminals within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
“The GOC appreciated the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its continuous air support throughout the operations. He also thanked other security agencies for the synergy in tackling the myriad of security challenges in the State.
“He 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 area of responsibility,” Okoye said.
