Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division/Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, have rescued 21 kidnapped victims during coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi States.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division, Lt.-Col. Polycarp Okoye, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday. He said the rescue was achieved through sustained operations by troops of the 12 Brigade, Lokoja, and 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, on Friday.
According to Okoye, the victims revealed that they had been abducted from various locations across Kwara and Kogi States. He added that the intensified offensive by the troops forced the kidnappers to release their captives, some of whom had been in captivity for over four months.
“The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division and Commander Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMA, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, coordinated the operations and ensured the victims received immediate first aid and relief materials,” Okoye said.
Major General Nnebeife, who sympathized with the victims, assured the public of the Army’s determination to sustain its ongoing operations against criminal elements, stressing that there would be no hiding place for bandits and kidnappers within the division’s area of responsibility.
Okoye noted that the rescued victims had been evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment, adding that most of them were physically weak due to prolonged hardship in captivity but were responding well to medical care.
The GOC commended the Nigerian Air Force for providing vital air support and appreciated the collaboration of other security agencies in combating insecurity across the region. He also lauded the gallant efforts of the troops and directed that the tempo of operations be maintained to restore lasting peace and security in Kwara, Kogi, and adjoining states.