Kidnapped NECO Candidates, Principal Rescued in Kogi

The Kogi State Government says security operatives have rescued the four persons abducted during the recent attack on a NECO examination centre in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area.

 

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, attributing the successful operation to a coordinated rescue mission ordered by Governor Ahmed Ododo immediately after the incident.

 

According to Fanwo, the Governor directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to lead a joint operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante groups.

 

“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. Security operatives remain in the forest and the operation is still ongoing,” Fanwo said.

 

He confirmed that the rescued victims include the school principal, a NECO official and two students, adding that they are safe and undergoing medical checks and debriefing with security agencies.

 

The Commissioner commended the Nigerian Army, DSS, Police and local security operatives for their swift response and professionalism, describing the rescue as evidence of effective inter-agency collaboration.

 

Fanwo also expressed the state government’s appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for directing security agencies to support the rescue effort.

 

He reaffirmed the Ododo administration’s commitment to strengthening intelligence gathering, improving security logistics and sustaining collaborative efforts to eliminate criminal activities across Kogi State.