ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigerian military has rescued 21 kidnapped victims, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), during a security operation in a forest between Egume and Ochaja in Kogi State.
The victims — eight males and 13 females — were rescued after troops intensified operations in the area, according to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja.
Onoja disclosed the development on Monday, saying the 15 NYSC members were among those abducted last week while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is also happy to announce that a total of 21 victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, 15 of them being National Youth Service Corps members, have just been rescued within the Egume and Ochaja forest stretch in 2 Division area of operation,” he said.
The rescue represents a significant security development as Nigeria’s military continues operations against kidnapping networks, terrorists and other armed criminal groups operating across several parts of the country.
Military Intensifies Operations in Niger’s Borgu Axis
The announcement came alongside renewed military operations in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, where residents have recently faced threats from terrorists and criminal groups.
Onoja said the military was working with other security agencies and state government institutions through intelligence sharing and coordinated security interventions.
He cited the rescue of 308 abducted people, predominantly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on August 5 as evidence of the security forces’ ability to locate and recover victims from difficult operating environments.
“The recent rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on the 5th of August, alongside subsequent operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement within the Borgu axis, demonstrates the commitment and capability of the security forces to locate, rescue, and safely return affected citizens,” Onoja said.
According to the military, troops are maintaining pressure on terrorist groups operating around the Kainji Lake National Park and other identified routes used by armed groups.
The objective is to restrict the movement of terrorists, prevent further attacks and create conditions for displaced residents to safely return to their communities.
Military Appeals for Calm as Rescue Operations Continue
Onoja urged families of abducted persons to remain calm and avoid actions that could compromise ongoing rescue operations.
He acknowledged the anxiety and uncertainty facing families whose relatives have been abducted, while stressing that credible information and cooperation with security agencies remain critical to successful rescue efforts.
The military spokesperson said Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, remained committed to protecting civilians, rescuing kidnapped Nigerians and supporting the return of internally displaced persons to their communities.
He said the defence chief had directed troops to maintain determination, professionalism and courage in operations against terrorism and other forms of criminality.
Military Rescues 610 Kidnap Victims in August
The Kogi operation formed part of a broader series of military operations conducted across Nigeria during August.
Onoja said troops neutralised more than 332 terrorists and criminals, arrested 373 suspects and rescued 610 kidnapped victims during the month.
The military also reported that 201 insurgents surrendered during August, while troops recovered 88 arms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition.
The sharp increase in surrenders was highlighted as an indicator of growing pressure on terrorist organisations.
According to Onoja, the number of terrorists and insurgents who surrendered increased from 11 in June to 57 in July and 201 in August.
The military attributed the improvement to intensified kinetic and non-kinetic operations, better intelligence gathering and stronger cooperation among security agencies.
Military Reports Progress Against Oil Theft
Nigeria’s military also reported increased activity against oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage during August.
Troops recovered approximately 686,800 litres of stolen crude oil products and destroyed 21 illegal refining sites, according to the Defence Media Operations director.
The operations are significant for Nigeria’s energy sector because oil theft and illegal refining have historically contributed to production losses, environmental damage and reduced government revenue.
The military said the results demonstrate the impact of sustained operations against criminal networks involved in terrorism, kidnapping, illegal oil bunkering and other threats to critical national assets.
Defence Chief Commends Troops
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff commended troops for their sacrifices and operational successes during the month.
The military leadership, he said, recognised the efforts of personnel involved in rescuing abducted citizens, disrupting terrorist and criminal networks, combating illegal oil activities and protecting critical national infrastructure.
The latest rescue of the 15 NYSC members and six other victims adds to the military’s broader campaign to disrupt kidnapping and terrorist networks while improving security along major travel routes and in vulnerable communities.
For businesses and investors, sustained improvements in security remain important to the movement of people and goods, protection of infrastructure and restoration of economic activity in areas affected by terrorism, kidnapping and organised crime.