Kogi Govt Hails Rescue of 21 Kidnapped Victims in Dekina
The Kogi State Government has commended security forces for rescuing 21 kidnapped victims in Dekina Local Government Area of the state, following a coordinated operation in forest areas around Egume and Ochaja.
The victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued on Monday, August 31, 2026, by troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, working alongside the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilante groups.
The operation followed reports of the abduction of road users along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road axis.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the joint security teams acted on credible intelligence and conducted a coordinated search of the Egume and Ochaja forest areas.
The operation resulted in the successful rescue of all 21 victims.
One of the rescued male victims sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and was subsequently evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
The state government described the operation as a demonstration of tactical effectiveness and inter-agency collaboration, while commending the security personnel and local security structures involved.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for equipping the nation’s security forces to combat violent crimes.
The governor commended the heads of the various security agencies and the officers and men who participated in the rescue operation.
“Criminals will always regret stepping their feet on Kogi State. We will never wag our tails before cowards who take arms against the state. Kogi is always ready to obliterate any threat to lives and property in the state,” Ododo said.
He also acknowledged the National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Department of State Services, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and local security operatives for their response to the incident.
Ododo assured residents that his administration would continue to strengthen collaboration between conventional security agencies and local security structures to protect lives and property across the state.
He further urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remained important in efforts to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
About Post Author
