Security operatives have successfully rescued four persons abducted during an attack on a school in Odo-Ekina, Dekina Local Government Area, Kogi State, the Kogi State Government has confirmed.
The victims, which included students, the school principal, and an ad hoc staff member of the National Examination Council, were abducted on Tuesday when gunmen stormed the school during the ongoing NECO examinations.
In a statement on Thursday, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, announced that all four victims have regained their freedom. He described the rescue as the outcome of a coordinated security operation ordered by Governor Usman Ododo immediately after the incident.
“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.”
The commissioner confirmed that the School Principal, the NECO official, and the two students have all been rescued safely and are currently with security agencies for debriefing and necessary medical checks. Security operatives remain in the forest, and the operation is ongoing to ensure none of the criminals escape justice.
The Kogi State Government commended the gallantry and professionalism of the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Police, and local security operatives involved in the rescue mission. The government also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support.
“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,” Fanwo said.