RismadarVoice Reporters, September 1, 2026
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has commended security agencies for the successful rescue of 21 people abducted along a major road in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.
The rescued victims comprise 15 National Youth Service Corps members and six other persons.
The victims, made up of eight males and 13 females, were rescued on Monday, August 31, 2026, following a coordinated operation involving troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilante groups.
The operation was launched after security authorities received reports of the abduction of travellers along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road.
Acting on intelligence gathered from the area, the security teams conducted a search operation across the Egume and Ochaja forest areas, eventually locating and rescuing all 21 victims.
One of the rescued male victims reportedly sustained a gunshot injury and was immediately taken to a medical facility for treatment.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi State Government described the operation as evidence of effective coordination and tactical efficiency among the participating security agencies.
Governor Ododo expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for providing the security forces with the necessary support and equipment to tackle violent crimes across the country.
Rescued NYSC member kidnapped
He also praised the leadership of the various security agencies and the personnel involved in the rescue operation for their courage and swift response.
Ododo warned criminals against operating in Kogi State, stressing that his administration would not relent in protecting residents and their property.
The governor specifically commended the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He also recognised the contributions of local security operatives involved in the operation.
Ododo assured residents that his administration would continue to strengthen cooperation between conventional security agencies and community-based security structures to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly share credible information with security agencies, noting that cooperation from the public remains essential to preventing crime and protecting communities.
The governor said the latest rescue operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and timely intervention in combating insecurity across the state.
