During coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi States, troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 21 kidnapped victims, including four Chinese nationals.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, who confirmed the development through a statement issued on Saturday, said the daring rescue, was carried out on Thursday, October 17, 2025.
Okoye disclosed that the rescue operation involved personnel from the 2 Division, 12 Brigade Lokoja, and the 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, under Operation FANSAN YAMA, a military offensive aimed at flushing out bandits and kidnappers in the North Central region.
According to him, the victims, who included 14 men, five women, one infant, and four Chinese nationals, were freed after troops intensified attacks on criminal hideouts in both states.
Some of the captives were said to have been held for more than four months before their release.
While stating that the successful rescue was a result of the army’s renewed strategy to combat insecurity in the region, Okoye added, “In a sustained effort to eliminate bandits and other criminal elements operating in Kwara and neighbouring states, troops of 2 Division and Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims.The coordinated operations by troops of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, and 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, led to the rescue of the kidnapped persons who include 14 males, 5 females, 1 infant, and 4 Chinese nationals.
“The victims revealed that they were abducted from different locations across Kwara and Kogi states. Following the troops’ intensified offensive, the bandits were forced to release their captives, some of whom had been with them for over four months.”
According to him, the rescued victims were immediately taken to a military medical facility for first aid and comprehensive treatment.
“Most of them were physically weak and could not walk unaided owing to extreme exhaustion. They are responding to treatment and will be reunited with their families upon full recovery,” he added.
Okoye said in the statement that the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander, Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMA, Major General C. R. Nnebeife, who personally supervised the operation, was said to have provided relief materials and medical support to the victims.
According to Okoye, while sympathising with the victims, Nnebeife assured that the army would not relent in its fight against criminality in the region.
, “We remain committed to sustaining the ongoing onslaught against all criminal elements. There will be no hiding place for bandits and other criminals within the Division’s area of responsibility,” Nnebeife said.
