Kidnappers Abandon Kogi School Principal, NECO Official, Students As Security Forces Close In

• Security operatives rescue Kogi school principal, NECO official and students abducted during Tuesday’s attack on a school in Dekina Local Government Area

• Sustained military and intelligence-led operations force kidnappers to abandon the victims as heavily armed security personnel intensify forest combing operations

• Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo praises the Nigerian Army, DSS, Police and local security operatives for the successful inter-agency rescue mission and vows to bring perpetrators to justice

• Kogi State Government credits President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security chiefs for providing critical federal support that contributed to the successful rescue operation

Security operatives have rescued the abducted school principal, a National Examination Council (NECO) official and students who were kidnapped during Tuesday’s attack on a school in Odo-Ekina, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The victims regained their freedom on Thursday after sustained pressure mounted by security forces forced the kidnappers to abandon them and flee into the surrounding forests, where security personnel have continued clearance operations to apprehend the fleeing criminals.

recalls that armed men had attacked the school on Tuesday, abducting four students, the principal and an ad hoc NECO staff member during the ongoing examination period, triggering widespread concern over the safety of schools and examination officials in the state.

Announcing the successful rescue in a statement on Thursday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the operation was the result of swift action taken by the state government immediately after the incident.

According to him, Governor Ododo had directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to coordinate a multi-agency rescue mission involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local security operatives and other relevant agencies.

Fanwo disclosed that while inspecting newly procured Armoured Personnel Carriers acquired by the state government to strengthen the fight against criminality, the governor had assured journalists that every available resource was being deployed to secure the release of the victims.

“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 stated.

He explained that relentless pressure from security personnel and the deployment of heavily armed operatives across the forests where the kidnappers had retreated ultimately forced the criminals to abandon 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.

“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”, the commissioner said.

Fanwo confirmed that the rescued principal, the NECO official and the two students were hale and hearty and were undergoing debriefing and routine medical examinations in the custody of security agencies.

Security Agencies Commended

The commissioner commended the gallantry, professionalism and coordinated efforts of officers and personnel of the Nigerian Army, DSS, Police, local vigilantes and other security agencies, describing the successful operation as a demonstration of the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in combating insecurity.

He reiterated the state government’s determination to rid Kogi of criminal elements, stressing that the ongoing operation would continue until every member of the kidnapping gang is apprehended.

Fanwo also conveyed the appreciation of the Kogi State Government to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support throughout the rescue operation.

According to him, the President directed the heads of the nation’s security agencies to provide every necessary support to Kogi State to ensure the safe recovery of the abducted victims.

“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”, Fanwo said.

He added that the state government remains committed to strengthening security through sustained investment in logistics, intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation to safeguard lives, protect educational institutions and ensure that criminal elements have no hiding place in Kogi State.