A major joint security operation across Kogi and Kwara states has resulted in the rescue of 309 hostages, the arrest of 129 suspected terrorists, and the killing of 55 armed attackers, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed. No security personnel were harmed during the mission.

Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that the operation involved a combination of units, including the Police Mobile Force, Intelligence Response Team, Special Intervention Squad, and the Air Wing, working alongside the military.

“The suspects who were killed engaged security operatives despite some of their colleagues being apprehended. These were confrontations, not extrajudicial actions,” Hundeyin clarified during an interview.

The operation followed months of intelligence gathering and planning and targeted criminal hideouts in the densely forested and hard-to-access areas of the two states. The Air Wing provided crucial aerial support while ground units systematically cleared the terrain.

Hundeyin emphasized that the security effort is ongoing. “There’s still a lot of work to do, but this is a strong start. We are committed to reaching every enclave where terrorists and bandits operate,” he said.

The large-scale offensive reportedly began over the weekend, with aerial footage showing settlements in forested areas being cleared as security forces dismantled terrorist hideouts.