Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YAMA have rescued 21 kidnapped victims during coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi States.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army.

According to the statement, the rescue missions were carried out by troops of 12 Brigade Lokoja and 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate bandits and other criminal groups operating in the region.

The rescued victims comprised 14 males, five females, one infant, and four Chinese nationals. They were reportedly abducted from various locations across Kwara and Kogi States.

The statement added that due to the troops’ intensified offensive, the bandits were compelled to release their captives, some of whom had been held hostage for over four months.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, who supervised the operations, ensured that the victims received immediate first aid and other relief materials to aid their recovery.

Major General Nnebeife expressed sympathy for the victims and reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to sustaining the offensive against criminal elements. He stressed that there would be no safe haven for bandits and other outlaws within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.

The rescued victims have since been moved to a military medical facility for further medical attention.