Kogi Government Confirms Rescue of Principal, NECO Official, Two Students Kidnapped During Exam Attack

The Kogi State Government has announced the successful rescue of four persons abducted during the recent attack on an unauthorised examination centre in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area, saying the victims regained their freedom following a coordinated security operation involving multiple security agencies.

The victims, identified as a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official and two students, are currently undergoing medical evaluation and security debriefing after being rescued unharmed, the government said.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, describing the rescue as the result of an intensive operation launched on the directive of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo immediately after the kidnapping.

According to Fanwo, the governor instructed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd.), to coordinate a joint rescue mission involving troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilante groups and other security agencies.

He said personnel from the 12 Brigade and the 21 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, working alongside other security operatives, combed the forests around the area in a sustained effort to locate the victims and neutralise the kidnappers.

Fanwo disclosed that Governor Ododo had, earlier on Thursday, assured journalists while inspecting newly acquired Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) procured by the state government that every available resource was being deployed to secure the release of the victims.

Only hours later, the operation yielded results.

According to the commissioner, the overwhelming presence of heavily armed security personnel and continuous pressure mounted on the kidnappers forced the criminal gang to abandon the victims and flee.

“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.

The government stressed that the operation has not ended, noting that security personnel remain in the forest to pursue the fleeing suspects and ensure they are brought to justice.

“We are determined to ensure that none of the criminals escapes justice. Our resolve is clear: anyone who chooses the path of crime in Kogi State will face the full weight of the law,” Fanwo stated.

He confirmed that the rescued principal, NECO official and the two students are in safe custody and are receiving necessary medical attention while undergoing routine debriefing by security agencies.

The commissioner commended the professionalism and bravery of the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Police, local vigilante groups and other security operatives whose collaboration made the rescue possible.

He described the operation as another demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-driven security coordination in tackling criminal activities across the state.

Fanwo also conveyed the appreciation of the Kogi State Government to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the state’s security efforts.

According to him, the President directed the nation’s security agencies to provide all necessary assistance to facilitate the rescue operation.

“The President directed the heads of the security agencies to give Kogi every necessary support to rescue the victims. Today, that support has yielded the desired result. We are deeply grateful to Mr. President for standing firmly with Kogi State in our determination to protect lives and property,” he said.

The commissioner reiterated that Governor Ododo’s administration would continue to prioritise investment in intelligence gathering, security logistics and inter-agency cooperation to strengthen public safety across Kogi State.

He assured residents that the government remains committed to ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven anywhere within the state, while efforts continue to track down those responsible for the abduction.