Joint security forces rescue 10 corps members from Kogi forest

Joint security forces have successfully rescued 10 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from Egume Forest in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The operation, confirmed by the Kogi State Police Command on Monday, was a coordinated, intelligence-driven effort involving the police, military, Department of State Services (DSS), and auxiliary forces.

A total of 15 corps members were kidnapped the previous week along the Aloma–Egane Expressway while travelling from their orientation camp in Bayelsa State to Abuja.

The kidnappers had initially contacted the families of the victims, demanding a ransom of ₦20 million per corps member.

While 10 corps members have been safely recovered, security agencies are still actively combing the forest to secure the release of the remaining 5 victims and apprehend the criminals

Spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Afusat Saliu, confirmed this in a statement on Monday.

She said the rescue followed a coordinated, sustained and intelligence-driven operation by the security agencies.

According to her, the operation was launched to secure the safe recovery of the victims, dismantle criminal elements operating in the area and bring those responsible for the abduction to justice.

“The operation is still ongoing, with the potential to rescue all the kidnapped victims. Security forces have intensified operations within the area while simultaneously pursuing the perpetrators,” she said.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, commended personnel of the police, military, DSS and other supporting security and auxiliary forces for their gallantry, professionalism and resilience during the operation.

He also appreciated residents of the affected communities for their cooperation and timely provision of credible information, which he said was critical to the success of the ongoing security operations.

The Command urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or information that could assist security agencies in locating the remaining victims and apprehending the perpetrators.

The police assured residents that all available operational resources were being deployed to ensure the safe recovery of the remaining victims and arrest those behind the abduction.

It said further updates would be made available to the public as soon as operational circumstances permitted.