The Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, on Tuesday, handed over 22 rescued hostages to the Kwara State Government at the Sobi Cantonment Medical Centre, Ilorin.
The hostages were freed during coordinated operations conducted by troops of 2 Division/Sector 3 under Operation FANSAN YAMMA on October 17, 2025. They had been receiving medical attention at the cantonment before being formally released to the state government.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Brigadier General Rume expressed appreciation to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his consistent support of military operations in the state. He reaffirmed the Brigade’s determination to sustain ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal activities and maintain peace across Kwara and its neighbouring areas.
“The Brigade remains fully committed to combating insecurity in the state,” Rume said. “We will continue to build on the successes achieved and intensify operations to rid the area of all criminal elements.”
Receiving the rescued victims, Governor AbdulRazaq commended the Nigerian Armed Forces under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their professionalism and collaboration with other security agencies in safeguarding citizens.
“We are glad to see the 22 rescued hostages safe and in good hands,” the Governor said. “The government will fully support their rehabilitation. Peace is returning to our state thanks to the decisive actions of our troops and the deployment of additional battalions.”
He explained that recent incidents of insecurity were linked to intensified clearance operations in neighbouring states, assuring residents that normalcy was being restored through sustained military presence and community confidence-building.
Governor AbdulRazaq also announced plans to deploy forest guards to secure cleared areas, prevent the return of criminal elements, and ensure farmers can safely return to their farmlands.
The Governor commended officers and soldiers of the 22 Armoured Brigade for their courage, professionalism, and sacrifice, acknowledging their contributions both within Kwara State and in other parts of the country.
One of the rescued victims, Pastor Obafemi J.A., who spoke on behalf of the group, expressed gratitude to the Governor and the Nigerian Army for their swift intervention and humane treatment following their rescue.
Captain Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, confirmed that the successful rescue was part of ongoing efforts to sustain security under Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
