Nigerian police said Tuesday they rescued 309 hostages and arrested 129 suspected terrorists during a sweeping operation across Kogi and Kwara states.
The operation, carried out by a combined team of police tactical units and local security outfits, targeted known hideouts and forest camps used by armed groups linked to recent abductions and attacks in central Nigeria.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, said the operation was launched following intelligence reports and lasted several days. He said officers stormed forested areas between the two states, engaging the suspects in gun battles and dismantling their camps.
“Many of the rescued victims had been held in captivity for weeks,” Adejobi said, adding that they were receiving medical care and counseling.
Recovered items included assault rifles, ammunition, motorcycles, and communication devices believed to have been used in coordinating attacks. Several of the arrested suspects are being profiled and will face prosecution, the police said.
Kogi and Kwara have witnessed a rise in kidnapping and banditry, with communities calling for stronger government action. Authorities said the latest operation was part of a broader crackdown ordered by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to reclaim ungoverned spaces.
State governors praised the rescue and promised to support rehabilitation efforts for victims. Security analysts say sustained pressure on criminal networks in the region could help reduce insecurity if backed by local intelligence and community cooperation.
