Four persons abducted during a deadly attack on a school in Kogi State have been rescued following a coordinated security operation launched by security agencies, the state government has confirmed.
The victims were among those kidnapped on Tuesday when armed attackers stormed a school in Odo-Ekina, Dekina Local Government Area. Those abducted included students, the school principal and an ad hoc staff member of the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Announcing the development on Thursday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the rescue followed a directive by Governor Usman Ododo, who ordered an immediate operation after the attack.
According to Fanwo, intense pressure mounted by security forces forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee. He said heavily armed personnel had combed the surrounding forests, making it difficult for the criminals to continue holding the captives.
“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,” the commissioner said.
He added, “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.”
Fanwo confirmed that the school principal, the NECO official and the students were rescued safely and are currently with security agencies for debriefing and medical examination. He noted that security personnel remain in the forest as operations continue to track down the fleeing suspects.
The commissioner disclosed that Governor Ododo had directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to coordinate the rescue mission. He also praised the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes and other security agencies for their swift response and collaboration.
Fanwo further thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting the state’s security efforts, saying the President instructed security chiefs to provide all necessary assistance to ensure the victims were rescued. He described the successful operation as a reflection of effective cooperation among security agencies in tackling insecurity across the state.
