In Kogi State, the Nigerian military rescued 21 kidnaped victims, including 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.
The Director, Defense Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this, it was learnt.
“Twenty-one victims, eight males and 13 females, were rescued from the Egume-Ochaja forest,” Onoja said.
He added that the military will continue to rescue the residents abducted in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is also pleased to inform the general public that a total of 21 victims comprising of eight males and 13 females, 15 of whom are members of the National Youth Service Corps have just been rescued within the Egume and Ochaja forest stretch in 2 Division area of operation,” he added.
The spokesperson added that military formations had continued to work with other security agencies and state government institutions through intelligence sharing and identification of areas in need of security intervention.
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 show commitment and capability of security forces to locate, rescue and safely return affected citizens.
Troops will continue to put pressure on terrorists operating within and around the Kainji Lake National Park and other identified corridors, he said.
He said this was being done to prevent further incursions and to create conditions for the return of displaced residents to their communities.
“the Armed Forces, therefore, 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 called on the families of abducted persons to remain calm and not take any action that could jeopardize rescue operations, pointing out that credible information was critical to the efforts of the military.
“We recognize the anxiety, pain and uncertainty that accompany the loss or affliction of family members and friends to the families of the victims and all persons affected by the heinous activities of terrorists and criminals.
“We would like to encourage everyone to remain calm and to have faith in the ongoing efforts of the military and other security agencies to resolve the situation, and to refrain from any action that could jeopardize rescue or recovery efforts,” he said.