President Tinubu welcomes 308 rescued citizens

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the successful rescue of 308 abducted Nigerians from terrorist hideouts in Niger and Kwara states, describing the operation as a major victory in the country’s ongoing fight against insecurity and directing security agencies to strengthen early warning systems to prevent future attacks.

The President said the successful operation underscored the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led security operations and the improved collaboration among Nigeria’s security agencies.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, 163 of the rescued victims were abducted from Woro Community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, while 145 others were kidnapped from different parts of Niger State.

The victims were rescued from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger State following a coordinated operation led by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), with the participation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force.

The Presidency described the mission as the largest same-day rescue operation ever carried out by Nigeria’s joint security team, attributing its success to effective intelligence gathering, meticulous planning and seamless inter-agency cooperation.

President Tinubu commended the leadership and personnel of the participating security agencies for their courage, professionalism and dedication to protecting the lives of Nigerians.

“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services. I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” the President said.

The rescued victims are currently receiving first aid and medical attention at the medical facility in Wawa Cantonment. After undergoing comprehensive medical evaluations, they will be handed over to the governments of Kwara and Niger states for rehabilitation, further care and reunification with their families.

While celebrating the successful rescue, President Tinubu stressed the need to prevent similar incidents by strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture. He directed security agencies and relevant stakeholders to immediately enhance early warning mechanisms, improve intelligence gathering at the community level and strengthen rapid response capabilities across the country.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent crime, assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue to deploy every available resource to protect lives, secure vulnerable communities and restore lasting peace nationwide.

The rescue operation marks another significant breakthrough in the government’s intensified counter-terrorism campaign and reflects ongoing efforts to improve coordination among the nation’s security and intelligence agencies in tackling criminal networks operating across Nigeria.