Tinubu announces rescue of 15 NYSC members and 6 others in Kogi

Fifteen National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members kidnapped last Wednesday in Kogi State have been freed, President Bola Tinubu announced.

In a statement he signed on Monday, Mr Tinubu said six other people who were kidnapped last week in the state were also rescued by security forces.

"The well-coordinated Search and Rescue operation carried out by a combined team of military personnel, 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. The corps members and other rescued individuals are currently receiving medical attention before they are reunited with their families," he wrote.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the NYSC members were traveling from the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to Abuja when they were kidnapped.

The victims are believed to be members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II and had finished their orientation camp activities before starting their journey.

In his statement, Mr Tinubu said security operatives are still looking for the kidnappers.

"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 well-coordinated Search and Rescue operation carried out by a combined team of military personnel, 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. The corps members and other rescued individuals are currently receiving medical attention before they are reunited with their families."

While the abductees have been safely rescued, our brave security forces are still chasing the escaped kidnappers, following my directive to keep the pressure on all criminal elements. Those responsible will face the full weight of the law, and our security agencies will pursue everyone who helped with this crime. My administration is committed to making sure that every Nigerian can travel around our country without fear.

I commend the combined Search and Rescue team for their courage and thank families and loved ones of the abductees for their patience during this difficult time.

As I share in the relief and joy of the parents and loved ones of the rescued individuals, I want to assure parents and loved ones of our dedicated corps members that my administration remains committed to ensuring their safety and that of other Nigerians.

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

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Federal Republic of Nigeria