Tinubu Welcomes Rescue of 308 Abductees in Kwara, Niger

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the successful rescue of 308 Nigerians who were abducted during separate attacks in Kwara and Niger states, describing the operation as a major achievement in the country’s ongoing fight against insecurity.

The commendation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, 163 of the rescued victims were kidnapped from Woro Community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, while the remaining 145 victims were abducted from communities in Niger State.

The victims were freed from the Kainji Lake National Park forest located in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger State following a coordinated security operation led by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre.

The operation involved personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, who worked together using intelligence-driven strategies to secure the release of the captives.

Government officials described the operation as the largest single-day rescue mission carried out by the joint security team since the current administration assumed office.

Reacting to the development, President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the leadership and personnel of the participating security agencies for their courage, professionalism and effective collaboration throughout the mission.

He noted that the successful rescue reflected the increasing efficiency of intelligence gathering and improved coordination among Nigeria’s security institutions.

“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services. I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” the President stated.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening national security and protecting citizens from criminal activities, including terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.

He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue investing in intelligence, logistics and inter-agency cooperation to dismantle criminal networks operating across the country.

The President also encouraged security agencies to sustain the momentum by intensifying efforts to prevent future attacks and ensure that those responsible for kidnapping and other violent crimes are arrested and brought to justice.

The rescue operation has been widely hailed as another significant milestone in ongoing efforts to restore peace and improve security across affected communities in Nigeria.