……. Says “Criminals Will Always Regret Stepping On Kogi State” After Dekina Forest Rescue.
Emmanuel Ikpeama.
Lokoja,Kogi— Relief swept through Dekina Local Government Area on Monday evening as joint security forces rescued 21 kidnapped victims abducted along the Alloma–Ejule–Itobe road, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo praising the operation as a clear sign that Kogi remains hostile territory for criminals.
The victims, comprising 8 males and 13 females, were freed during a coordinated sweep of the Egume and Ochaja forest areas by troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, working alongside the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilante groups.
According to the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of the abductors.
“Acting on timely information, our security teams launched a coordinated search of the forests. The result was the successful rescue of all 21 victims,” Fanwo said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
One of the rescued males sustained a gunshot wound and was promptly evacuated to a medical facility for treatment. The remaining victims were debriefed and reunited with their families.
Governor Ododo commended the bravery and tactical coordination of the security agencies, describing the rescue as proof of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government’s commitment to making criminality “a regrettable trade.”
“Criminals will always regret stepping on Kogi State. We’ll never wag our tails before cowards who take arms against the state. Kogi is always ready to obliterate any threat to lives and property in the state,” the Governor stated.
He specifically appreciated the National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, DG DSS, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Commandant-General NSCDC,and all officers and men who participated in the operation.
Governor Ododo assured residents that his administration would continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and community structures to protect lives and property across the state.
He also urged citizens to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies.
“The collective support of our people remains vital to the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality. Together, we will keep Kogi safe,” he said.
The State Government described the successful operation as a demonstration of tactical excellence and effective inter-agency collaboration, and a warning to criminal elements that Kogi will not be a safe haven.
