SECURITY OPERATIVES RESCUE FOUR ABDUCTED IN KOGI SCHOOL ATTACK
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The Kogi state government has announced that four people who were taken hostage during a recent attack on an unauthorized exam center in Olowa, Dekina LGA, have been safely recovered.
Kingsley Fanwo, the commissioner for information and communications, shared this in a statement on Thursday.
He said the rescue happened after a coordinated security action was carried out by the governor of Kogi, Ahmed Ododo, right after the attack took place.
Fanwo said Ododo directed Jerry Omodara, his security adviser, to coordinate a joint rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), local vigilante groups and other security agencies.
Gunmen had on Tuesday evening kidnapped four students from the Government Secondary School (GSS) in Olowa, Dekina LGA of Kogi state.
The principal of the school and a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc staff member were also abducted during the incident.
“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 statement reads.
“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.
“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 added that the school principal, the NECO official and the two students had all been rescued safely.
He noted that they are in good condition and are with security agencies for debriefing and medical checks.
Fanwo commended the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the police, local security operatives and other agencies involved in the rescue operation, commending their gallantry and professionalism.
He said their swift response demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in tackling insecurity.
The commissioner also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “steadfast support for the state’s security efforts”.
He said the president told the security leaders to give Kogi all the help needed to save the victims.
Fanwo said the Ododo government will keep working to remove bad people from the state, promising the people that the government will keep spending on intelligence, security plans, and teamwork between different agencies to keep Kogi safe.
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