The Nigerian military has rescued 21 kidnapped victims, including 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)  members, during an operation in a forest in Kogi State.

The victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued from the Egume-Ochaja forest stretch in the 2 Division area of operation, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, announced on Monday.

The 15 NYSC members were among those kidnapped last week while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.

Onoja said the rescue formed part of ongoing military operations against terrorists and criminal elements across the country. He added that security agencies were working with state governments through intelligence sharing and targeted interventions.

The military also highlighted the rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on August 5.

According to Onoja, troops have continued to put pressure on terrorists operating around the Kainji Lake National Park and other identified routes to prevent further incursions and create conditions for displaced residents to return home.

He assured residents of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State and neighbouring communities that military operations would continue until the security threats in the area were sufficiently degraded.

The Defence Media Operations chief also urged families of abducted persons to remain calm and provide credible information to security agencies while avoiding actions that could compromise rescue operations.

Military reports August gains

Giving an account of military operations during August, Onoja said troops neutralised more than 332 terrorists and criminals, arrested 373 others and rescued 610 kidnapped victims.

He said 201 insurgents surrendered, while troops recovered 88 arms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition during the month.

The military also recovered 686,800 litres of stolen crude oil products and destroyed 21 illegal refining sites as part of operations against oil theft and economic sabotage.

Onoja said the number of terrorists who surrendered rose from 11 in June to 57 in July and 201 in August, which he attributed to increased pressure on terrorist groups.

He said Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, remained committed to rescuing abducted citizens, protecting civilians and supporting the return of internally displaced persons to their communities.