Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has hailed the successful rescue of 308 Nigerians, who were abducted in different attacks in Niger and Kwara states in northern Nigeria.
According to local media reports, 163 of those rescued were abducted from Woro Community in Kaiama LGA, Kwara State and 145 from Niger State.
The reports stated that the victims were rescued from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger State, following a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), involving personnel from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force.
The reports stated that the rescue operation is the largest ever carried out on the same day by the joint security team.
President Tinubu expressed deep appreciation to the leadership and personnel of the security agencies for their bravery, seamless inter-agency collaboration and dedication, which made the recovery of the victims possible.
”The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services. I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” President Tinubu stated.
The reports added that the rescued citizens are receiving first aid and essential medical care at the Medical facility at Wawa Cantonment and that after the completion of their medical evaluations, they would be formally handed over to their state governments for comprehensive care and reunification with their families.
While applauding the return of the victims, President Tinubu emphasised the imperative of bolstering national security infrastructure to prevent future occurrences.
He directed security agencies and relevant stakeholders to immediately strengthen early warning mechanisms, enhance community-level intelligence gathering and improve rapid response capabilities to avert similar incidents across the country.
President Tinubu reassured Nigerians that his administration would remain steadfast in its resolve to eliminate security threats, protect vulnerable communities, and restore lasting peace across every corner of the nation.
GIK/APA