Abducted Kogi School Principal, NECO Official, Students Regain Freedom

The Kogi State Government has confirmed the successful rescue of the four persons abducted during the recent attack on Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.

The rescued victims include the school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official and two students who were kidnapped while the ongoing NECO examinations were taking place.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, announced the development in a statement issued on Thursday, describing the operation as the result of a coordinated security mission ordered by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo immediately after the incident.

According to the commissioner, Governor Ododo directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd.), to coordinate a joint rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilante groups and other security agencies.

Fanwo explained that security operatives launched an intensive search of the forest where the victims were believed to have been held, deploying heavily armed personnel to pressure the kidnappers.

He noted that while inspecting newly acquired Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the state government earlier on Thursday, Governor Ododo had assured residents that every effort was being made to secure the release of the victims.

According to the statement, the sustained security operation eventually forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee.

“Just this evening, while inspecting the Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the Kogi State Government to strengthen the fight against criminality, the Governor assured newsmen that every effort was being made to secure the release of the victims.

“A few hours later, the victims regained their freedom. The sustained pressure on the kidnappers and the saturation of the forest by heavily armed security personnel forced the criminals to abandon the victims and flee,” the statement said.

Fanwo disclosed that all four victims were rescued unharmed and are currently undergoing medical examinations and debriefing by security agencies.

He added that the operation remains ongoing, with security personnel continuing to comb the forest in an effort to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The commissioner commended the professionalism and bravery of the Nigerian Army, DSS, Police, local vigilantes and other security operatives involved in the rescue mission, describing the operation as another example of effective inter-agency collaboration.

He also conveyed the appreciation of the Kogi State Government to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the state’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.