President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the successful rescue of 308 Nigerian citizens abducted in different attacks in Niger and  Kwara states.

One hundred and sixty-three of those rescued were abducted from Woro community some six months ago  in Kaiama local government area of Kwara state,  and 145 from Niger state.

Earlier, the Kwara state government had Wednesday announced the development  in a post shared on its official  media platforms for members the Correspondents’-  “KWST Correspondents.”

The post read: “Breaking: Woro Kidnap Victims Regain Freedom.  Alihamdulillaah and kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful!”

Release excites Tinubu

Expressing his excitement Wednesday  over the release of the abductees, President Tinubu said they were rescued from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in New Bussa local government area of Niger state following a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), involving personnel from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force. 

It was the largest rescue operation ever carried out on the same day by the joint security team. 

President Tinubu expressed deep appreciation to the leadership and personnel of the security agencies for their bravery, seamless inter-agency collaboration, and dedication, which made the recovery of the victims possible.

“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services. I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” the president stated. 

“The rescued citizens are receiving first aid and essential medical care at the Medical facility at Wawa Cantonment. 

“Upon completion of their medical evaluations, they will be formally handed over to their state governments for comprehensive care and reunification with their families,” the president said.

While applauding the return of the victims, President Tinubu emphasised the imperative of bolstering national security infrastructure to prevent future occurrences. 

He directed “security agencies and relevant stakeholders to immediately strengthen early warning mechanisms, enhance community-level intelligence gathering, and improve rapid response capabilities to avert similar incidents across the country.”

President Tinubu reassures all Nigerians that his administration remains steadfast in its resolve to eliminate security threats, protect vulnerable communities, and restore lasting peace across every corner of the nation.

…Army’s N60m bounty

Meanwhile, the  Nigerian Army, Wednesday, declared the ‘Governor’ of Islamic State West Africa Province, Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa – Wali and his ‘deputy’, Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda, wanted.

The army placed a bounty of N50 million on Baa Shuwa, the commander of the Amniyya unit, and another N10 million bounty on Jidda, who  also  commands  the Jaish unit, bringing the total sum to N 60 million.

This, the army said, followed their identification from technical devices obtained during a recent offensive against the terrorist group in the Lake Chad region.

Acting Military Information Officer Northeast Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, aid this  in a statement made available to journalists in Maiduguri, Borno state.

 “Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has recorded another significant breakthrough following recent successful offensive operations against ISWAP/ISIS terrorists in the Lake Chad region of Northern Borno State,” the statement said.

According to Goni, troops recovered several technical devices and other high-value intelligence materials, including a camcorder used by ISWAP terrorists to record propaganda videos and document operational activities, during the operation.

It said: “Subsequent forensic exploitation of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence, leading to the identification of locations associated with terrorist activities as well as identities of several senior ISWAP leaders operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

“The identified terrorist leaders and key operatives include: Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa – Wali (governor of ISIS West Africa Province), his deputy/Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda (“The One-Handed Man”) and Hamad Abu Hanifa, the Amirul-Fiya of ISWAP, among others.”

The army further said: “Operation Hadin Kai wishes to specifically draw the attention of the public to Abu Musa, who remains the most wanted terrorist leader operating within the Lake Chad Basin.

“The military will offer a substantial financial reward to any individual whose credible and actionable information directly leads to his arrest.”

The spokesman assured that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality, and the identity of informants fully protected in accordance with established security procedures.

It said: “Operation Hadin Kai urges members of the public to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending these suspected terrorist operatives.”

While calling on members of the public to report any relevant information through established security reporting channels or via 0708 498 8859, Goni  said “citizens are strongly advised not to confront or attempt to apprehend the suspected terrorists under any circumstances.”