Rescue Operation Saves 315 Nigerians

You've heard of dramatic rescues before, but this one takes the cake. In a 24-hour operation, Nigerian security forces and local hunters rescued no fewer than 315 abducted citizens from terrorist captivity in separate operations across Kwara, Niger, and Ogun states.

315 Nigerians abducted by terrorists and kidnappers have been rescued in separate operations across Kwara, Niger, and Ogun states.

According to reports, 308 of the victims – 163 from Kwara and 145 from Niger – were rescued during a special operation in the Kainji Lake National Park, KLNP. The operation followed attacks on Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and neighboring communities in Niger on February 3 and 4, 2026.

The rescued victims included many women and children, including a breastfeeding baby. They were said to be undergoing screening and receiving medical attention at Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

In a separate operation, seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, in Ogun State, who were abducted last week, were also rescued. Governor Dapo Abiodun commended the coordinated efforts of security agencies, local hunters, vigilantes, and other stakeholders involved in the operation.

The rescue came as President Bola Tinubu welcomed the rescue, commended the security personnel involved, and directed relevant authorities to strengthen early-warning mechanisms, improve community-level intelligence gathering, and enhance rapid-response capabilities to prevent further mass abductions.

### President Tinubu Commends Rescue Efforts President Bola Tinubu commended the rescue efforts while directing relevant authorities to strengthen security mechanisms. He acknowledged that the rescue operation was a testament to the bravery and commitment of Nigerian security personnel.

### No Ransom Paid in Ogun Poly Students Rescue Governor Abiodun revealed that no ransom was paid for the release of the Ogun poly students. Instead, the coordinated efforts of security agencies, local hunters, and other stakeholders led to their rescue.

Abiodun commended President Tinubu for prioritizing security and strengthening the operational capacity of security agencies across the country. He noted that Federal Government support had contributed significantly to recent successes against criminal groups.

### Security Gaps Remain Unaddressed While commending the rescue operation, Dr. Chinwike Oke-Nwosu, a UK-based Nigerian medical doctor, urged greater attention to the growing impact of insecurity on Nigerians. He questioned how terrorists could kidnap Nigerians and use phones to make calls within Nigeria in this day and age.

Oke-Nwosu stressed the need for continued focus on the protection of citizens, saying that even ordinary Nigerians were now immune to the tragedy and took the absurdity as the new normal.

### ## Key Facts

  • 315 Nigerians abducted by terrorists and kidnappers have been rescued in separate operations across Kwara, Niger, and Ogun states.
  • 308 of the victims – 163 from Kwara and 145 from Niger – were rescued during a special operation in the Kainji Lake National Park, KLNP.
  • The rescued victims included many women and children, including a breastfeeding baby.
  • Seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, in Ogun State, who were abducted last week, were also rescued.
  • No ransom was paid for the release of the Ogun poly students.
  • President Bola Tinubu commended the rescue efforts and directed relevant authorities to strengthen security mechanisms.