Troops Free 15 Corps Members, Six Others From Kogi Forest

In Kogi State, the Nigerian military rescued 21 kidnaped victims including 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

The disclosure was made by the Director, Defense Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, it was reported.

“Eight males and 13 females, totaling 21 victims, were rescued from the Egume-Ochaja forest,” he said.

The military will continue to rescue residents abducted in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, he said.

“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.

“Military formations continue to cooperate with other security agencies and state government institutions through the sharing of intelligence and identification of areas needing security intervention,” the spokesperson said.

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He said: “The recent rescue of 308 abducted persons, mostly women and children, from Kainji Lake National Park on August 5 and subsequent operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement within Borgu axis, demonstrate commitment and capability of security forces to locate, rescue and safely return affected citizens.

Troops will continue to pressure terrorists operating within and around the Kainji Lake National Park and other identified corridors, he said.

He said this was to prevent further incursions and create the conditions for the return of displaced residents to their communities.

Therefore, the Armed Forces assures the people of Borgu and their communities that military operations against terrorists and criminals will be sustained in the local government area and its environs to ensure the safety of the community,” Onoja said.

He urged the families of abducted persons to remain calm and refrain from any actions that could endanger rescue operations, emphasizing that credible information was vital to the military’s efforts.

“We understand the anxiety, pain and uncertainty that the loss or affliction of family members and friends bring to the victims’ families and to all persons touched by the heinous activities of terrorists and criminals.

“We want to encourage everyone to stay calm and to trust in the ongoing efforts of the military and other security agencies to resolve the situation and to avoid taking any actions that could jeopardize rescue or recovery operations,” he said.