Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: Those responsible will face full weight of law – Tinubu

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has cautioned that those behind the country's kidnapping crisis face the full weight of the law.

This follows the successful rescue of 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and six other Nigerians who were abducted last week by suspected kidnappers in Kogi State.

According to Tinubu, the victims were rescued on Monday, August 31, during a coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) operation involving the military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes.

The 21 abductees, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued from a kidnappers’ den in the forests of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

In a statement issued on the same day, President Tinubu said the rescued victims are receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families.

“While the abductees have been safely rescued, our gallant security forces are still on the trail of the routed kidnappers, in line with my directive to sustain the pressure on all criminal elements,” he said.

He cautioned that the security agencies would pursue not only those directly responsible for the abduction but also individuals who aided the crime.

“Those responsible will face the full weight of the law, and our security agencies will pursue everyone who aided this crime,” President Tinubu added.

He commended the security personnel involved in the rescue operation for their courage and thanked the families of the abductees for their understanding during the ordeal.

The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting Nigerians and ensuring that people can travel across the country without fear.