Tears of Relief as Army Rescues 21 Kidnap Victims from Kwara, Kogi Forests
Twenty-one people, including a baby and four Chinese nationals, have regained their freedom after months in captivity, following a daring operation by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division/Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, in Kwara and Kogi States.
The victims comprising of 14 men, 5 women, 1 infant, and 4 Chinese nationals, were rescued on Friday, October 17, 2025, in a series of coordinated offensives led by troops from the 12 Brigade Lokoja and 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin.
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The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Lt Col Polycarp Okoye, in a statement he issued on Friday said the victims, had been abducted from different locations and held under harsh conditions, with some spending more than four months in the kidnappers’ camps.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General CR Nnebeife, who coordinated the operation, said the successful rescue was the result of sustained pressure and intelligence-led maneuvers that forced the bandits to abandon their captives and flee.
Speaking during the handover of the victims for medical care, Major General Nnebeife expressed sympathy for their ordeal, assuring that the Division remains relentless in its efforts to crush criminal networks operating in the region.
“There will be no hiding place for bandits and other criminal elements within our area of responsibility,” he vowed.
The rescued victims, many of whom were physically weak and emotionally shaken, have been evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment and rehabilitation. Most are said to be responding well and will be reunited with their families once they fully recover.
Major General Nnebeife also commended the Nigerian Air Force for its crucial aerial support and praised other security agencies for their collaboration in the operation. He lauded the troops’ professionalism and directed them to sustain the tempo to ensure lasting peace and security across Kwara, Kogi, and adjoining states.
