Kogi Rescues Kidnapped NECO Officials and Students

​The Kogi State Government has announced the successful rescue of four individuals who were abducted during an attack on an unauthorized National Examinations Council (NECO) examination centre in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area.

​The victims—a school principal, a NECO official, and two students—regained their freedom following a high-stakes, coordinated rescue mission ordered by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

​Coordinated Tactical Response

​Immediately following the abduction, Governor Ododo directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to launch a joint rescue operation. The mission saw an unprecedented level of inter-agency collaboration, involving the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade and 21 Battalion, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and local vigilante groups.

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​The turning point came when security forces saturated the forest regions where the victims were being held. The immense pressure from heavily armed personnel forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee the scene.

​Government Commitment to Safety

​Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, confirmed that the victims are safe, in good health, and currently undergoing debriefing and medical evaluations.

​The state government extended its gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support, which the administration credits as a significant factor in the success of the operation. Governor Ododo reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward criminality, emphasizing that the state will continue to invest heavily in security logistics and intelligence to ensure the safety of all residents.

​Ongoing Operations

​While the rescue is a major victory, security officials confirmed that operations remain active in the forest areas. The government has vowed that all perpetrators involved in the abduction will be tracked down and forced to face the full weight of the law.

​The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi, previously noted that the attack occurred at an unapproved examination location, urging school administrators to strictly adhere to state-sanctioned, safer venues for public examinations to prevent future security lapses.