By Charles Pemu 
IBADAN – In a sustained operation against criminal elements, troops of the Nigerian Army 2 Division/Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMA successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims on October 17, 2025, from bandits operating in Kwara and Kogi States.
The successful mission was executed through coordinated operations involving troops of the 12 Brigade Lokoja and the 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin. The rescued individuals included 14 males, 5 females, 1 infant, and 4 Chinese nationals.
The victims, who were abducted from various locations across the two states, revealed that some had been held captive for over four months. The military confirmed that the bandits were compelled to release their captives due to the troops’ intensified offensive against them.
The operations were coordinated by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), and Commander Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMA, Major General CR Nnebeife.
Following the Nigerian Army Kwara Kogi Rescue, Major General Nnebeife ensured the victims received necessary first aid and other relief items to aid their recovery from the ordeal. He expressed his sympathy and reassured the victims and the public of the Division’s commitment to sustaining the ongoing onslaught, stating that “there will be no hiding place for bandits” within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
The rescued victims, many of whom were physically weak and unable to walk due to extreme exhaustion, were immediately evacuated to a military medical facility for attention. They are currently responding to treatment and will be reunited with their families upon full recovery.
The GOC commended the efforts of his troops and directed the Brigades to maintain the tempo of operations. He also expressed appreciation for the continuous air support provided by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and thanked other security agencies for their synergy in tackling security challenges in the area.
