A joint team of security operatives has successfully rescued four individuals who were abducted during an attack on a school in Kogi State, according to an official government announcement.
The victims, which included two students, their school principal, and an ad hoc staff member of the National Examination Council (NECO), were seized by gunmen on Tuesday at a school located in Odo-Ekina, within the Dekina Local Government Area.
Providing an update on Thursday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that all the abducted individuals have safely regained their freedom. He attributed the successful rescue to a swift, coordinated security response ordered by Governor Usman Ododo immediately following the abduction.
“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,” Fanwo said.
“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.
“Security operatives remain in the forest, and the operation is still ongoing. 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.
“We can confirm that the School Principal, the NECO official, and the two students have all been rescued safely. They are hale and hearty and are currently with security agencies for debriefing and necessary medical checks.”
The commissioner noted that Governor Ododo put the state’s security apparatus into motion right after the incident, tasking the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), with leading the rescue strategy.
The Kogi State Government praised the bravery and professionalism displayed by the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes, and all participating security outfits.
Fanwo noted that the quick outcome highlights how powerful inter-agency teamwork can be when tackling insecurity.
Additionally, the commissioner conveyed the state’s appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for backing Kogi’s local security initiatives.
“The President directed the heads of the security agencies to give Kogi every necessary support to rescue the victims,” the commissioner said.
“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.”
