The Kogi State Government has commended security forces for the successful rescue of 21 kidnap victims in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.
The victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued on Monday, August 31, 2026, during a coordinated operation involving troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters and vigilante groups.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, made available to ASHENEWS on Wednesday, the state government described the operation as a demonstration of tactical excellence and effective inter-agency collaboration.
The operation followed reports of the abduction of road users along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road axis.
Acting on credible intelligence, the security teams conducted coordinated searches of the Egume and Ochaja forest areas, where they successfully located and rescued all 21 victims.
One of the rescued male victims sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the security forces with the necessary support and equipment to tackle violent crimes across the country.
The governor also commended the leadership and personnel of the various security agencies involved in the operation, as well as local security operatives, for their courage and effective response.
“Criminals will always regret stepping their feet on Kogi State. We will never wag our tails before cowards who take arms against the state,” Ododo said, adding that the state was prepared to confront threats to lives and property.
He specifically praised the National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General of the DSS, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff and Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their roles in strengthening the security response.
Ododo assured residents that his administration would continue to deepen collaboration with security agencies and local security structures to protect lives and property across the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that citizens’ cooperation remains crucial to combating kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
