TINUBU ANNOUNCES RESCUE OF 21 KIDNAP VICTIMS, INCLUDING 15 NYSC MEMBERS, IN KOGI FOREST AS SECURITY FORCES HUNT ABDUCTORS

President Bola Tinubu has announced the rescue of 21 Nigerians, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who were abducted last week while travelling through Kogi State.

The victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued on Monday afternoon from the den of kidnappers in the forests of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State following a coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) operation.

The operation was carried out by a combined team of military personnel, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes.

Tinubu, in a statement, expressed relief over the safe recovery of the victims, saying the 15 NYSC members and six other Nigerians had regained their freedom after being held by criminal elements.

“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.

According to him, the coordinated operation led to the safe rescue of all 21 abductees from the kidnappers’ hideout in the Ofu forests.

“The well-coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) operation carried out by a combined team of personnel of the military, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, and local vigilantes safely rescued all twenty-one abductees, made up of eight males and thirteen females, from the den of kidnappers in the forests of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State this afternoon,” Tinubu said.

The President disclosed that the rescued corps members and the other victims were receiving medical attention before they would be reunited with their families.

“The corps members and other rescued individuals are currently receiving medical attention before they are reunited with their families,” he added.

Tinubu, however, said the rescue operation would not mark the end of the security agencies’ efforts, as the forces involved had continued their pursuit of the kidnappers responsible for the abduction.

He said he had directed security agencies to sustain pressure on criminal groups operating across the country.

“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,” the President said.

Tinubu warned that those responsible for the abduction would face the full weight of the law, adding that security agencies would also go after individuals who assisted or aided the crime.

“Those responsible will face the full weight of the law, and our security agencies will pursue everyone who aided this crime,” he said.

The President said his administration remained committed to strengthening security and ensuring that Nigerians could travel across the country without fear of abduction or other criminal attacks.

“My administration remains committed to ensuring that every Nigerian can travel across our country without fear,” Tinubu said.

He commended the military, police, DSS and local security personnel who participated in the operation, praising their courage and efforts in securing the release of the victims.

Tinubu also commended the families and loved ones of the abductees for their patience and understanding throughout the ordeal.

“I wholeheartedly commend the combined SAR team for their courage and appreciate families and loved ones of the abductees for their understanding during the ordeals of their loved ones,” he said.

The President expressed solidarity with the families of the rescued victims, saying he shared in their relief and joy following the successful operation.

“As I share in the relief and joy of the parents and loved ones of the rescued individuals, I want to once again, assure parents and loved ones of our dedicated corps members that my Administration remains committed to ensuring the safety of their lives and property, as well as those of other Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

He further commended Nigeria’s security and intelligence personnel for their dedication to protecting citizens.

“God bless the men and women of our Security and Intelligence agencies.

“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.

The development followed growing concerns over the safety of travellers and corps members in parts of the country amid persistent attacks and kidnappings by criminal groups.

The Kogi State Police Command had earlier confirmed the abduction of NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja, saying 11 victims had been rescued while security personnel continued searching for others still in captivity.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The confirmation came after reports that 15 NYSC members were abducted by armed bandits while returning to Abuja after completing their orientation programme in Bayelsa State.

The latest operation brings the total number of victims rescued to 21, including all 15 affected corps members, according to the President.

Security agencies have now intensified efforts to track down the kidnappers and those who may have aided the operation, as the Federal Government maintains that the rescue of the victims will be followed by efforts to bring those responsible to justice.