By Sam Biodun Ogundipe in London

The successful rescue of five kidnapped victims by troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, has been described by the Kogi state government as another major breakthrough in the ongoing offensive lunched against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements operating within parts of the state.

The commissioner for information and communication, Kogi state, Kingsley Femi Fanwo in a statement confirmed that the victims were rescued during sustained military operations in the state’s forests as security forces intensified coordinated air and ground offensives against criminal enclaves.

Fanwo noted that the Government saw the latest success as a direct outcome of the relentless pressure being mounted on terrorist camps and hideouts across the state, forcing the criminals to abandon their captives while fleeing military assaults.

The rescue operation according to the statement is a continuation of the recent successes recorded in Bunu District of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, where security forces carried out coordinated operations that led to the neutralization of terrorists, the rescue of kidnapped victims and the destruction of criminal camps.

Preliminary accounts from the rescued victims indicated that the terrorists abandoned them and fled for their lives due to the overwhelming military pressure mounted through coordinated ground and air operations against their hideouts. The victims revealed that the sustained offensive by security forces created panic within the criminal camps, forcing the kidnappers to disperse and abandon their captives in a desperate bid to escape the advancing troops. This further underscores the impact of the ongoing security operations and validates the strategic measures being implemented to flush out criminal elements from every part of Kogi State.

The Kogi State Government commended the troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff , Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu through the Commandant, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilante groups and hunters whose professionalism, courage and dedication have continued to produce remarkable results in the fight against terrorism and banditry in the state.

The Kogi state Government also expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering commitment to national security and for providing the support required by security agencies to confront emerging threats across the country. Special appreciation goes to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his strategic coordination and support, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services and the Commandant General of the NSCDC for their leadership and commitment to restoring peace and security in Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole. We also express deep appreciation to all heads of security and intelligence agencies in Nigeria for supporting the efforts to rid Kogi State and the nation of violent crimes.

It is worthy of note that some of the rescued victims were abducted from states outside Kogi. This development Fanwo noted that it highlighted the strategic role of Kogi State in Nigeria’s security architecture. As the natural gateway linking the northern and southern parts of the country, Kogi occupies a critical position in efforts to prevent the movement and expansion of terrorist networks across state boundaries.

The administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has continued to leverage this strategic position by supporting security agencies with the resources, logistics and intelligence required to deny criminal elements freedom of movement.

The state remains determined to ensure that its territory does not serve as a transit route, operational base or safe haven for terrorists and bandits seeking to threaten neighbouring states and communities.

The Government further noted that recent security measures introduced by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo are significantly complementing the ongoing offensive operations of security agencies. In particular, the restriction of commercial motorcycle operations in the Bunu hinterlands, the closure of identified routes used by criminal elements, the regulation of fuel sales in vulnerable areas and the tactical reorganization of the state’s security architecture have disrupted the logistics networks of terrorists, restricted their movement and weakened their ability to sustain operations within the affected areas.

According to Fanwo, these proactive measures, combined with intensified military operations, have helped cut off critical supply lines to criminal groups and created an increasingly hostile environment for terrorists and bandits seeking refuge in Kogi forests. The Government is encouraged by the growing evidence that the security strategy being implemented across the state is yielding the desired results.

“The successful rescue of the victims is also a testament to the effectiveness of the investments made by the Ododo Administration in intelligence gathering, security infrastructure, logistics support, community-based security initiatives and inter-agency collaboration. These efforts are yielding tangible results and reinforcing Kogi State’s reputation as one of the safest states in the country”.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo congratulated the rescued victims and their families on their freedom and prayed for their speedy recovery from the traumatic experience, while calling on Nigerians to continue to rally behind the security efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies as he reassured the people of Kogi State that his administration will continue to work closely with security agencies until every criminal enclave is dismantled and every part of the state is secured.

The Governor has also directed the Kogi State Ministry of Health to work with relevant authorities to provide comprehensive medical screening and necessary treatment for the rescued victims as the Government recognized the physical and psychological challenges often associated with captivity and it’s committed to ensuring that the victims receive adequate medical attention and care as part of efforts to support their recovery and reintegration into society.

While receiving the rescued victims on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Austin Ojotule assured that the Kogi State Ministry of Health would take full responsibility for the medical evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of the victims. He stated that the Ministry would ensure that all the rescued persons receive comprehensive medical care and psychosocial support until they are certified medically fit and emotionally stable to be reunited with their families. .

The Governor further urged residents to continue supporting security agencies through the provision of timely and credible information, emphasizing that security remains a collective responsibility. He noted that the successes being recorded are a product of effective collaboration between security agencies, government institutions and patriotic citizens who continue to provide useful information to security operatives.

The Kogi State Government reiterated its unwavering commitment to sustaining the current momentum against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements while it remains confident that with the continued support of the Federal Government, security agencies and law-abiding citizens, lasting peace and security will be achieved across Kogi State and beyond.