A total of 315 Nigerians abducted by terrorists and kidnappers have been rescued within 24 hours in separate security operations carried out in Kwara, Niger and Ogun states, bringing relief to many affected families.
The figure includes 308 victims rescued from terrorist hideouts in Kwara and Niger states and seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, who were kidnapped on July 29, 2026.
According to reports, the 308 victims — 163 from Kwara and 145 from Niger — were freed during a special operation in the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP). Many of those rescued were women and children, including a breastfeeding baby.
The victims had been abducted during attacks on Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and neighbouring communities in Niger State on February 3 and 4, 2026.
They are currently undergoing security screening and receiving medical attention at Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. Military authorities are also coordinating their feeding, treatment and temporary accommodation pending their evacuation.
Arrangements have been made for the victims’ return to their communities, with buses reportedly stationed at Sobi Cantonment in Ilorin for the evacuation of those from Kwara State, while both state governments are coordinating the movement of the rescued persons.
President Bola Tinubu welcomed the operation and praised the security personnel involved. He also directed relevant authorities to strengthen early-warning systems, improve community intelligence gathering and enhance rapid-response measures to prevent future mass abductions.
Ogun students rescued without ransom
In a separate development, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the successful rescue of the seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, stressing that no ransom was paid.
Speaking to journalists at the Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, Abiodun commended the coordinated efforts of the police, local hunters, vigilantes and other stakeholders.
The governor said he requested aerial surveillance support from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, who approved and deployed a police helicopter to support the ground operation.
According to him, five students were rescued during the first phase of the operation, while the remaining two were freed in a later operation involving the police helicopter and security personnel on the ground.
One of the victims sustained a gunshot injury but was immediately taken for treatment and has since been stabilised.
Two suspects arrested
Governor Abiodun disclosed that two suspected kidnappers have been arrested, while security agencies are still pursuing other members of the gang.
He warned that kidnappers, informants, collaborators, logistics providers and sponsors of criminal activities would be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
Abiodun also commended President Tinubu for prioritising security and strengthening the operational capacity of security agencies across the country.
Calls for stronger prevention measures
Commenting on the development, UK-based Nigerian medical doctor and social affairs analyst Dr. Chinwike Oke-Nwosu said the rescue operations were encouraging but raised concerns about gaps in intelligence and the ability of kidnappers to communicate freely while holding victims.
Retired Rear Admiral Dickson Olisemelogor described the rescue of the 308 victims as a positive development that could reflect improved cooperation between local communities and security agencies.
The Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Okechukwu Nwagunma, said the rescue was commendable but stressed that prevention should remain the ultimate goal.
He called for greater investment in intelligence-led policing, inter-agency coordination, protection of vulnerable communities and support for victims after their release.
Senior military officers also said the operations demonstrated the importance of sustained intelligence gathering, cooperation among security agencies and support from local communities in locating and rescuing victims held in difficult terrain.
