Troops Rescue Kidnapped Victims in Kwara as GOC Leads Frontline Operation

 

By Oriontimes Correspondent

Ilorin, Kwara State | October 11, 2025

In a daring counter-kidnapping operation, troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued two abducted victims from the Babasango Forest in Kwara State, following a swift and coordinated assault led personally by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife.

The rescue mission, executed under the ongoing Operation FANSAN YAMA, was launched after intelligence reports traced the movement of suspected kidnappers to a remote area linking the Oke-Ode axis of the state. Troops engaged the criminal elements in a brief gun duel, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee into the forest.

Speaking after the successful operation, Maj. Gen. Nnebeife reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to restoring peace and public confidence in Kwara and its adjoining states. He commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience, emphasizing that no criminal enclave would be allowed to thrive under the Division’s watch.

 “This operation sends a clear message, there will be no hiding place for kidnappers and bandits anywhere within our area of responsibility,” he declared.

The rescued victims were immediately debriefed and handed over to local authorities for medical attention and family reunification.

Community leaders in Babasango and surrounding settlements praised the Army’s proactive engagement, describing the rescue as “a relief that rekindles hope in government security efforts.”

Operation FANSAN YAMA, meaning “clear the forest” in Hausa, is part of a renewed nationwide campaign to dismantle bandit hideouts and secure rural communities across Nigeria’s North-Central region.

The latest success adds to a growing list of field achievements credited to the 2 Division in recent months, as security agencies intensify joint efforts to combat kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of violent crime.