By Favour Raphael
No fewer than 22 kidnapped victims have regained their freedom following a coordinated operation by joint security operatives along the Kwara-Kogi border.
The victims were rescued during an operation carried out by the Kogi State Joint Security Forces, comprising the military, police, local hunters and vigilante groups, in forests bordering Kwara and Kogi states.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Kwara South Joint Security Watch.
According to the statement, all the rescued victims have since been reunited with their families.
Among those freed were four residents of Idofin-Igbana who were abducted about three months ago, 15 worshippers of the Ikerin Church in Eda Oniyo kidnapped during a vigil on April 28, 2026, and three members of the ECWA Church in Omugo who were abducted while worshipping in early April.
The security outfit noted that five other members of the ECWA Church who were kidnapped in the same incident were recently reported dead under circumstances yet to be determined.
It added that some other rescued victims were yet to be identified.
The Kwara South Joint Security Watch commended the efforts of the Kogi State Joint Security Forces for the successful operation.
“We give glory to God for answered prayers. We commend the bravery and sacrifice of the Kogi State Joint Security Operatives,” the statement said.
The operation is the latest effort by security agencies to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes along the Kwara-Kogi axis, an area that has witnessed repeated attacks by armed criminal groups in recent months.
