President Welcomes Rescue of 308 Abducted Victims in Niger, Kwara States

President Tinubu on Wednesday welcomed the successful rescue of 308 kidnapped citizens, including 145 individuals from Niger State and 163 from Kwara State, freed from the Kainji Lake National Park forest in a joint intelligence-led security operation.

One hundred and sixty-three of those rescued were abducted from Woro Community in Kaiama LGA, Kwara State, and 145 from 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, intelligence-driven operation by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), involving personnel from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force.

It was the largest rescue operation ever carried out on the same day by the joint security team.

President Tinubu expressed deep appreciation to the leadership and personnel of the security agencies for their bravery, seamless inter-agency collaboration, and dedication, which made the recovery of the victims possible.

“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 stated.

“The rescued citizens are receiving first aid and essential medical care at the Medical facility at Wawa Cantonment.

“Upon completion of their medical evaluations, they will be formally handed over to their state governments for comprehensive care and reunification with their families.

“While applauding the return of the victims, President Tinubu emphasises the imperative of bolstering national security infrastructure to prevent future occurrences.

“He directs security agencies and relevant stakeholders to immediately strengthen early warning mechanisms, enhance community-level intelligence gathering, and improve rapid response capabilities to avert similar incidents across the country.

President Tinubu reassured all Nigerians that his administration remains steadfast in its resolve to eliminate security threats, protect vulnerable communities, and restore lasting peace across every corner of the nation.

This was contained in a statement by Mr ​Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy)

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government officially confirmed the release of 176 residents who were abducted from the Woro and Nuku communities in the Kaiama Local Government Area.

The statement, released on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, brought an end to six months of captivity for the victims following a devastating mass attack on February 3, 2026.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq credited the breakthrough to President Bola Tinubu’s direct, hands-on initiative. The governor noted that the President had previously prioritised addressing local security breaches by deploying additional security resources and four new tactical police teams to Kwara State.

The state government highly commended the collaborative effort of multiple agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Nigeria Police Force. The state government also thanked local community vigilantes and thought leaders for their solidarity.

A total of 176 individuals—predominantly women and children—regained their freedom. Concurrently, the Presidency announced that a broader intelligence operation successfully freed a total of 308 citizens across both Kwara and Niger states.

While the official public statement did not specify operational logistics or explicitly state if ransom was paid, top security and state sources indicated that intensive operational pressure and negotiations facilitated the release.

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