In a renewed push to rid Kwara and neighboring states of banditry and other criminal activities, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division/Sector 3 under Operation FANSAN YAMA have successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims. The rescue operation took place on 17 October 2025.
The coordinated mission, jointly executed by troops of 12 Brigade Lokoja and 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin, led to the release of 14 men, 5 women, an infant, and 4 Chinese nationals. According to reports, the victims had been abducted from various parts of Kwara and Kogi States. Following intensified military offensives, the kidnappers were forced to release their captives, some of whom had been held hostage for over four months.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, personally supervised the rescue efforts and ensured that the victims received immediate medical care, food, and other relief materials to aid their recovery.
Expressing sympathy for the victims, Major General Nnebeife reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to maintaining pressure on criminal elements, warning that there will be “no safe haven for bandits or criminals within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.”
The rescued victims were evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment. Many of them, weakened by long captivity and severe exhaustion, are said to be responding positively to care and will be reunited with their families once they fully recover.
The GOC extended appreciation to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for providing sustained aerial support during the operation, as well as to other security agencies for their collaboration in addressing the security challenges in the region. He also commended the dedication and bravery of the troops, urging them to maintain the operational momentum to restore lasting peace across Kwara, Kogi, and surrounding states within the Division’s jurisdiction.
