President Tinubu Applauds Security Forces On Rescue Of 15 Corp Members, Others In Kogi, Vows To Punish Culprits

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded security forces for their bravery in ensuring safe rescue of the 21 people, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps, abducted by gunmen in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The President who is currently on the annual three weeks vacation to Europe, lauded what he described as the well-coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) operation carried out by a combined team of personnel of the military, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, and local vigilantes, which ensure the safely rescued of all the abductees, comprising eight males and 13 females, from the den of kidnappers in the forests of Ofu on Monday afternoon.

Tinubu was quoted in a post on his official X handle on Monday, as saying that, "the corps members and other rescued individuals are currently receiving medical attention before they are reunited with their families”.

“While the abductees have been safely rescued, our gallant security forces are still on the trail of the routed kidnappers, in line with my directive to sustain the pressure on all criminal elements,” Tinubu said

“Those responsible will face the full weight of the law, and our security agencies will pursue everyone who aided this crime. My administration remains committed to ensuring that every Nigerian can travel across our country without fear," he vowed 

He commended the combined team for their courage and appreciated families and loved ones of the abductees for their understanding during the ordeals of their loved ones.

While sharing in the relief and joy of the parents and loved ones of the rescued individuals, the President assured parents and loved ones of the corps members that his administration remains committed to ensuring the safety of their lives and property, as well as those of other Nigerians.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped at about 4:40 p.m. on August 26, around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria–Onicha-Igo Junction.

The police had said that the armed men emerged from the bush and blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions, abducting some of the passengers while others escaped into the surrounding bush.