The victims were handed over to the Governor at the headquarters of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, following their release by the Army after weeks in captivity.

Speaking during the brief handover ceremony, AbdulRazaq expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Armed Forces and President Bola Tinubu for their support in the ongoing military operations to clear out bandits and kidnappers from forests across the state.

“We thank God that you were all freed following pressure from the security forces. We also thank the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Nigerian Army for this success,” the Governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

“We are glad to see 23 victims freed today. The government will support your rehabilitation. The challenges we are facing are temporary. It is either these criminals leave Kwara or they die here. This is a state of harmony.”

AbdulRazaq commended the General Officer Commanding and the new Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Nicholas Nemetne Rume, for their renewed onslaught against criminal elements in the state, adding that their deployment has restored calm to previously troubled areas.

He disclosed that the state government would immediately deploy forest guards once the ongoing Army “clean-up operations” are concluded to maintain peace and enable displaced farmers to return to their farmlands.

“The GOC has been on the ground for two weeks, and since he came, we’ve seen a turnaround. Many criminals have been arrested or neutralised. Peace is being restored to Kwara,” the Governor added.

On his part, Brigadier General Rume praised the Governor for his support of the Army, vowing to sustain pressure on the kidnappers until they are completely flushed out of the state.

“Your Excellency, without the state government’s support, most of our operations would not have been possible,” Rume said.

“The GOC’s order is clear it is either the bandits leave Kwara State or they die here. That’s the only mandate I have, and we will continue to do our best to achieve it.”

One of the rescued victims, Pastor Obafemi, recounted his ordeal in captivity, describing the experience as “traumatic.”

“It was a very painful experience being held against our will,” he said. “I thank the Governor and the troops for rescuing us. God will continue to strengthen them to overcome the people tormenting us.”