By Evelyn Usman No fewer than 315 Nigerians abducted by terrorists and kidnappers have been rescued in separate operations across Kwara, Niger and Ogun states within 24 hours, bringing relief to hundreds of families. The figure comprises 308 victims rescued from terrorist captivity in the forests of Kwara and Niger states and seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, in Ogun State, who were abducted last week. The 308 victims : 163 from Kwara and 145 from Niger, many of them women and children, including a breastfeeding baby, were rescued during a special operation in the Kainji Lake National Park, KLNP, after they were abducted during attacks on Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and neighbouring communities in Niger on February 3 and 4, 2026, according to report. They were said to be undergoing screening and receiving medical attention at Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, where the Commander, 22 Brigade, was coordinating their feeding, treatment and temporary accommodation pending evacuation. Arrangements, it was gathered, had been concluded for their return to their communities, with buses positioned at Sobi Cantonment in Ilorin for the evacuation of the Kwara victims, while the respective state governments were coordinating their movement. President Bola Tinubu, while welcoming the rescue, commended the security personnel involved in the operation and directed relevant authorities to strengthen early-warning mechanisms, improve community-level intelligence gathering and enhance rapid-response capabilities to prevent further mass abductions. No ransom paid in Ogun poly students rescue- Gov Abiodun The development came as Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday announced the successful rescue of seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, in Remo North Local Government Area of the state, who were abducted on July 29, saying no ransom was paid for their release. Abiodun, who disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, commended the coordinated efforts of security agencies, local hunters, vigilantes and other stakeholders whose joint operation led to the rescue of the students. He explained that following the abduction, he requested aerial surveillance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu. According to him: “I reached out to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to deploy aerial surveillance to complement the ongoing ground operations. I am pleased that he responded immediately by approving and deploying a police helicopter the same day.” “Five victims were rescued during the first phase of the operation and reunited with their families after receiving medical attention, while the remaining two were rescued in a subsequent operation involving the police helicopter and ground forces. One of the victims sustained a gunshot injury, but was immediately evacuated for medical treatment and has since been stabilised.” Two suspects arrested Abiodun disclosed , “ As of this moment, two of the kidnappers have been arrested, while our security agencies remain on the trail of the remaining members of the criminal gang. The operation is still ongoing, and for operational reasons, some details cannot yet be disclosed.” “There will be no hiding place for kidnappers or any other criminals in Ogun State. Whether they are principal offenders, collaborators, informants, logistics providers or sponsors, they will be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.” “Kidnappers, bandits, armed robbers, cultists and every violent criminal must understand that Ogun State is not, and will never become, a sanctuary for criminality.” The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising security and strengthening the operational capacity of security agencies across the country, saying Federal Government support had contributed significantly to recent successes against criminal groups. Oke-Nwosu questions security gaps While commending the rescue operations, UK-based Nigerian medical doctor, university lecturer and social affairs analyst, Dr Chinwike Oke-Nwosu, said the development provided an opportunity to strengthen the country’s security architecture, particularly in intelligence gathering and the tracking of criminal communications. He said: “How is it possible that terrorists kidnapped Nigerians and use phones to make calls within Nigeria in this day and age? That cannot be possible!” Oke-Nwosu also urged greater attention to the growing impact of insecurity on Nigerians, saying: “ Gradually even ordinary Nigerians are now immune to the tragedy and take the absurdity as the new normal!, stressing the need for continued focus on the protection of citizens, saying: A welcom
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