The Kogi State Government has commended the joint security forces for rescuing 21 kidnapped victims in Dekina Local Government Area of the state, describing the operation as a demonstration of tactical excellence and effective inter-agency collaboration.
The victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued on Monday, August 31, 2026, by troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters and vigilante groups.
The operation followed reports of the abduction of road users along the Alloma-Ejule-Itobe road axis.
According to a statement issued by the state commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the security teams, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a coordinated search of the Egume and Ochaja forest areas, leading to the successful rescue of all 21 victims.
One of the rescued male victims sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
The state government said the successful operation further demonstrated the determination of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government to make criminality a regrettable venture for criminals.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for equipping the nation’s security forces to effectively combat violent crimes across the country.
He also commended the heads of the various security agencies, as well as officers and men who participated in the operation, for their courage and professionalism.
“Criminals will always regret stepping their feet on Kogi State. We will never wag our tails before cowards who take arms against the state. Kogi is always ready to obliterate any threat to lives and property in the state,” Ododo said.
The governor specifically commended the National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General of the DSS, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff and Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as local security operatives, for what he described as their organisational acumen, courage and effective response.
Ododo assured residents that his administration would continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and local security structures to protect lives and property across the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that citizens’ support remains critical to the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
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