Seventeen kidnapped passengers are safe and recovering after a coordinated security operation in Kogi State, and they’re crediting the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) and the Nigerian Army for saving their lives.
The victims—traveling from Ilesha, Osun State, to Abuja—were ambushed on Thursday by armed men along the Lokoja–Obajana road and forced deep into the forest.
Hours later, a swift, joint response by the NFSS and Army turned the tables: pursuing the kidnappers, closing escape routes, and compelling the release of all 17 captives without harm.
The rescued passengers were taken to medical facilities for evaluation.
One survivor, speaking anonymously, described the ordeal as terrifying but said the quick intervention restored their faith in Nigeria’s security forces.
“We are deeply grateful to the Army, NFSS, and government for coming for us,” the survivor said. “The Forest Security deserves stronger legal backing and better tools, they are critical to keeping our forests safe.”
Security experts note that the operation highlighted the importance of specialised forest security units like the NFSS in combating banditry and protecting major transport corridors.
