BREAKING: 4 Abducted In Kogi NECO Centre Attack Regain Freedom

The Kogi State Government has announced the rescue of the four persons abducted during Tuesday’s attack on an unauthorised examination centre at Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area.

The victims, comprising the school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official and two students, were rescued following a coordinated security operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante groups.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo ordered an immediate rescue operation after the incident.

Fanwo said the governor directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), to coordinate the joint operation with security agencies, leading to sustained pressure on the kidnappers.

He explained that the security team combed the forests where the victims were believed to have been held, forcing the kidnappers to abandon them and flee.

“Shortly after the kidnapping incident, the Governor directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), to coordinate the rescue operation. The State Security Adviser and the leadership of the 12 Brigade and the 21 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Police and local security operatives stormed the forest to ensure the victims were rescued.

“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.

According to the commissioner, the victims have been reunited with security agencies for debriefing and medical examination and are in good health.

He added that security operatives had continued the operation in the forest to apprehend the fleeing suspects, stressing that the government was determined to ensure those behind the abduction were brought to justice.

Fanwo commended the Nigerian Army, DSS, Police, local vigilantes and other security personnel for their professionalism and cooperation, describing the successful rescue as a testament to effective inter-agency collaboration.

He also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing security agencies to support Kogi State’s rescue efforts.

“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 the commitment of the Ododo administration to strengthening intelligence gathering, security logistics and collaboration among security agencies to sustain the fight against criminality across the state.