Tinubu Hails Rescue Of 15 NYSC Members, Six Others Abducted In Kogi

President Bola Tinubu has expressed relief following the rescue of 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps and six other Nigerians abducted by criminal elements in Kogi State.

The 21 victims were rescued on Monday afternoon after a coordinated Search and Rescue operation involving security agencies and local vigilantes.

The rescued Nigerians comprised eight males and 13 females and were found in a kidnappers’ hideout within the forests of Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

Tinubu, in a statement, welcomed the development and commended the security personnel involved in securing the freedom of the abducted citizens.

“I am delighted to receive the news that the fifteen members of the National Youth Service Corps and six other innocent and law-abiding Nigerians abducted last week in Kogi State by some criminal elements have regained their freedom,” the President said.

He disclosed that personnel from the military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and local vigilantes worked together during the operation.

According to the President, the coordinated effort enabled the security teams to locate the victims and safely remove them from the kidnappers’ den.

The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention before they are reunited with their families.

The successful operation comes amid continued concerns over kidnapping and other forms of insecurity across parts of Nigeria, particularly attacks targeting travellers and vulnerable communities.

Tinubu said the rescue operation did not mean the security mission had ended, noting that security forces were still pursuing the kidnappers who fled the area.

“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 reiterated his administration’s commitment to maintaining pressure on criminal groups and ensuring the safety of Nigerians.

The rescue of the NYSC members is particularly significant as corps members are deployed across the country as part of Nigeria’s national youth service programme, often serving in communities far from their places of origin.

The development is expected to provide relief to the families and colleagues of the abducted corps members and other victims who had endured days of uncertainty following their abduction.

Authorities are expected to continue efforts to apprehend those responsible for the kidnapping and bring them to justice.