By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Kogi State Government has reiterated its commitment to rooting out criminals from the state following the successful rescue of 21 kidnapped victims in Dekina Local Government Area of the state by the joint security forces.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, described the operation as a demonstration of tactical excellence and effective inter-agency collaboration.
The rescued kidnap victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued on Monday, August 31, 2026, by troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, working with 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. The security teams, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a coordinated search of the Egume and Ochaja forest areas, leading to the successful rescue of all 21 victims.
One of the rescued male victims sustained a gunshot wound and was promptly evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
Governor Usman Ododo stressed that the state would not cower to threats from criminal elements.
He said, “Criminals will always regret setting foot in 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.”
The governor also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for equipping the nation’s security forces to combat violent crimes across the country effectively.
He further commended the heads of the various security agencies, as well as the officers and men who participated in the operation.
Ododo also commended the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and all local security operatives for their organisational acumen, courage, and effective response to the incident.
The governor assured the people of Kogi State that his administration would continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and local security structures to protect lives and property across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that the collective support of citizens remained vital to the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
