President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the rescue of 21 people abducted last week in Kogi State, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps.
The President disclosed this in a statement on Monday, August 31, saying the victims were rescued by a combined team of security personnel and local vigilantes.
According to Tinubu, the rescued victims comprise eight males and 13 females. They were abducted by gunmen in Kogi State last week.
He said the Search and Rescue operation involved personnel of the military, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and local vigilantes.
“The well-coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) operation carried out by a combined team of personnel of the military, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, and local vigilantes safely rescued all twenty-one abductees,” Tinubu said.
The victims were rescued from the den of kidnappers in the forests of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Monday afternoon.
The President said the rescued corps members and other victims were receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families.
“While the abductees have been safely rescued, our gallant security forces are still on the trail of the routed kidnappers,” he stated.
Tinubu said those responsible for the abductions would face the law, adding that security agencies would also pursue those who aided the crime.
He said his administration remained committed to ensuring that Nigerians could travel across the country without fear.
The President commended the security personnel involved in the operation for their courage and thanked the families of the abducted persons for their understanding during the ordeal.
“As I share in the relief and joy of the parents and loved ones of the rescued individuals, I want to once again, assure parents and loved ones of our dedicated corps members that my Administration remains committed to ensuring the safety of their lives and property, as well as those of other Nigerians,” Tinubu said.