315 abducted Nigerians rescued in 24 hours

In a significant display of security force effectiveness, at least 315 Nigerians abducted by terrorists and kidnappers have been rescued in separate operations spanning Kwara, Niger, and Ogun states within a 24-hour period. This development has brought relief to hundreds of families across the affected regions.

The majority of the rescued individuals, numbering 308, were freed from terrorist captivity in the forests of Kwara and Niger states. These victims, including many women and children, were rescued during a special operation in the Kainji Lake National Park. They had been abducted during attacks on Woro village in Kwara State and neighboring communities in Niger on February 3 and 4, 2026. The rescued individuals are currently undergoing screening and receiving medical attention.

In Ogun State, seven students from Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, who were abducted last week, were also successfully rescued. Governor Dapo Abiodun announced their safe return, emphasizing that no ransom was paid for their release. He credited the success to coordinated efforts involving security agencies, local hunters, and vigilantes.

President Bola Tinubu welcomed the rescue operations, commending the security personnel involved. He directed relevant authorities to strengthen early-warning mechanisms, improve community-level intelligence gathering, and enhance rapid-response capabilities to prevent further mass abductions. The successful operations highlight a concerted effort by Nigerian security forces to combat kidnapping and terrorism.

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I am pleased that he responded immediately by approving and deploying a police helicopter the same day.