Kogi Government Hails Rescue of 21 Kidnapped Victims

The Kogi State Government has commended security forces for rescuing 21 kidnapped victims in Dekina Local Government Area, describing the operation as a major 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, working alongside 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. Acting on credible intelligence, the joint security team launched a coordinated search of the Egume and Ochaja forest areas, where the victims were eventually located and rescued.

One of the rescued male victims sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state government said the successful operation demonstrated the determination of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to confront criminality across the country.

Governor Usman Ododo expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for strengthening and equipping Nigeria’s security forces to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes.

He also praised the heads, officers and personnel of the various security agencies involved in the rescue operation, as well as local security operatives who supported the mission.

“Criminals will always regret setting foot 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 for their roles in strengthening security operations.

Ododo assured residents that his administration would continue to deepen collaboration between formal security agencies and community-based security structures to protect lives and property.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality in Kogi State.