President Bola Tinubu has announced the rescue of 15 National Youth Service Corps members and six other Nigerians who were abducted in Kogi State.
The 21 victims were rescued on Monday from the forests of Ofu Local Government Area following a coordinated search and rescue operation by security agencies and local vigilantes.
According to Tinubu, the rescued victims comprised eight males and 13 females. They were reportedly receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families.
“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, made up of eight males and thirteen females, from the den of kidnappers in the forests of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State this afternoon,” Tinubu said.
The 15 corps members were among those kidnapped while travelling after completing their NYSC orientation activities. Premium Times reported that they were members of the 2026 Batch B Stream II.
The Nigerian military also confirmed the rescue, stating that the victims were recovered from the Egume-Ochaja forest stretch. Defence spokesman Major General Michael Onoja said the rescued group consisted of 15 NYSC members and six other victims.
Tinubu said the kidnappers had yet to be apprehended, adding that security operatives were still pursuing those responsible for the abduction.
“While the abductees have been safely rescued, our gallant security forces are still on the trail of the routed kidnappers, in line with my directive to sustain the pressure on all criminal elements,” he said.
The president commended the security agencies involved in the rescue operation and assured Nigerians that his administration remained committed to ensuring that citizens could travel across the country without fear.
