Troops from the 22 Armoured Brigade’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Patigi successfully rescued five kidnapped individuals, including four women and a child, during a search and rescue operation in Olapade/Olayinka village, Ifelodun LGA, Kwara State, on Monday, May 20, 2024.
According to a statement by Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo, the operation was initiated following an intelligence report from local residents and vigilante groups. The troops engaged the kidnappers, leading to the successful rescue of the victims.
In a formal ceremony, Brigadier General OF Williams, Commander of the 22 Brigade, handed over the rescued individuals to Mr. Shonibare, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Council. The victims, who had been kidnapped on May 15, 2024, expressed their gratitude to the military for their timely intervention and bravery, which saved them from a potentially deadly situation. They urged the Nigerian Army to continue its efforts in combating insecurity across the country.
During the handover ceremony, Brigadier General Williams reassured the Chairman and the people of Kwara State of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to eradicating criminals, bandits, and kidnappers from the region. He emphasized the brigade’s readiness to continue their efforts and called on the public to provide useful and timely information to aid the military and security agencies in conducting joint operations, in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy.
