Security operatives have rescued 17 abducted pupils and students in Kogi State following coordinated operations by joint security teams, while nine others remain in the custody of their captors.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on X, quoting security sources who said the rescue followed sustained operations after the abduction reported on April 27.
The rescued victims were identified as Sultan, Zeidah, Ahmed, Yusuf, Farooq, Museen, Mustapha, Hasheem, Mohammed, Toheer, Abdulmumin, Abdulazeem, Mahmud, Ameerah, Firdaus, Tabarakallah, and Ibrahim.
However, nine individuals are still being held by the kidnappers. They include Habibullah, Shakir, Ahmed, Abdulhammed, Mubarak, Sultannah, Zulaiha, as well as Nana-Hawa and Halimat, both wives of the school proprietor.
“The victims were rescued following sustained operations by joint security forces after a reported abduction on April 27,” the sources said.
They added that efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims, with security agencies intensifying bush-combing operations and tracking the suspects.
According to the sources, personnel have been deployed across strategic locations, while stop-and-search operations are ongoing along major routes such as Kabba Junction and Zariagi.
They also noted that patrols, intelligence gathering, and surveillance activities have been stepped up to ensure the safe recovery of all remaining victims.
