By Cross Udo, Abuja
A joint security operation involving the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies has rescued 308 kidnapped victims from terrorist hideouts in the Kainji Lake National Park forest, marking one of the largest single-day rescue operations recorded in the country’s fight against kidnapping.
The victims, comprising 163 abductees from Woro Community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and 145 others from Niger State, were freed during an intelligence-driven operation carried out on Wednesday, security sources disclosed.
The rescued victims have since been evacuated to the Military Medical Facility at Wawa Cantonment in New Bussa, Niger State, where they are receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families.
•President orders stronger early warning systems to curb abductions
The Presidency, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the operation as the largest rescue mission executed on the same day by the multi-agency security team and commended the operatives for their professionalism and coordination.
President Tinubu welcomed the successful rescue, praising the military, DSS, NCTC, police and other security agencies for what he described as a seamless intelligence-led operation that brought hundreds of abducted Nigerians back to safety.
“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services. I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” the President said.
Tinubu also directed security agencies to strengthen preventive measures against kidnapping by improving intelligence gathering and response mechanisms nationwide.
“Security agencies and relevant stakeholders must immediately strengthen early warning mechanisms, enhance community-level intelligence gathering and improve rapid response capabilities to avert similar incidents across the country,” he directed.
According to the Presidency, the victims were rescued from camps inside the Kainji Lake National Park forest following a coordinated operation led by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre with the support of personnel of the Armed Forces, the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force.
The President said the rescued citizens were receiving first aid and comprehensive medical care at the Wawa Cantonment medical facility and would be handed over to the governments of Kwara and Niger states after medical evaluation for rehabilitation and reunification with their families.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to confront kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes across the country.
“Our administration remains steadfast in its resolve to eliminate security threats, protect vulnerable communities and restore lasting peace across every corner of the nation,” he said.
The latest operation comes amid intensified security offensives across the North-Central and North-West regions, where security agencies have sustained coordinated operations against terrorist and kidnapping networks.
In recent months, the Federal Government has increasingly relied on intelligence-led, multi-agency missions involving the military, DSS, police and the NCTC to dismantle criminal camps and secure the release of abducted victims.
President Tinubu has repeatedly linked the fight against kidnapping to broader security reforms, including stronger intelligence coordination and ongoing efforts to establish state policing and community-based security initiatives.
