The Nigerian military has rescued 21 kidnapped victims, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps, during a security operation in a forest in Kogi State.

The rescue operation was confirmed by the military on Thursday as troops intensified efforts to locate and free victims held by kidnappers in the state.

According to the military, the rescued victims comprised 15 NYSC members and six other kidnapped persons who had been held in the forest.

The operation highlights the continued efforts by security agencies to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in parts of the country, particularly in areas where forests and difficult terrain are used as hideouts by criminal groups.

The rescued NYSC members had reportedly been among victims abducted in the area, raising renewed concerns about the safety of corps members deployed to different parts of the country for the mandatory national service programme.

The military said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to rescue victims and dismantle criminal camps operating within the area.

Security personnel have continued to conduct operations in forests and other suspected criminal hideouts as part of measures aimed at preventing further attacks and securing communities.

The successful rescue also comes amid growing calls for stronger protection for NYSC members, who are often deployed to locations far from their home states as part of the national service programme.

The military vowed to sustain its operations against criminal elements and continue efforts to rescue other victims who may still be in captivity.

The development is expected to provide relief to the families and colleagues of the rescued corps members and other victims as security agencies continue their operations across the country.