Daud Olatunji
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the police, Department of State Services and local security groups, have rescued 21 kidnapped victims from forests in Kogi State.
The victims, comprising 13 females and eight males, were rescued on Monday during a coordinated search operation in the Egume and Ochaja forest axis of the state.
The operation followed the abduction of road users along the Alloma-Ejule-Itobe road corridor, according to the Army.
The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Abdullahi said the operation was launched after security agencies received credible information on the whereabouts of the abducted victims.
He explained that troops of the 12 Brigade, 2 Division, working with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, local hunters and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, mobilised from the 21 Battalion Headquarters to search the surrounding forests.
The coordinated operation subsequently led to the rescue of all 21 victims from the Egume-Ochaja forest stretch.
However, Abdullahi said one of the rescued male victims sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the incident.
He said the injured victim was immediately evacuated to the 21 Battalion Medical Reception Station for treatment.
“The rescued victims are currently receiving attention at 21 Battalion Headquarters, while further measures are being taken to facilitate their safe reunification with their families and the appropriate authorities,” the statement said.
The Army commended the troops and personnel of the other security agencies involved in the operation, describing their coordination and determination as key to the successful rescue.
The Commander, 12 Brigade, also assured residents and motorists within the brigade’s area of responsibility that security agencies would sustain search-and-rescue operations to curb kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The Army urged residents to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist in preventing kidnappings and rescuing victims.
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