The Kogi State Government has confirmed the safe rescue of four persons, including a school principal, a NECO official and two students, kidnapped during an attack on an examination centre in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area.
The Kogi State Government has confirmed the successful rescue of four persons kidnapped during an attack on an examination centre in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area of the state.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, describing the rescue as the outcome of a coordinated security operation ordered by Governor Ahmed Ododo immediately after the incident.
According to the Commissioner, Governor Ododo directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to coordinate a joint rescue mission involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilante groups and other security operatives.
“Shortly after the kidnapping incident, the Governor directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to coordinate the rescue operation. 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,” Fanwo said.
Vanguard reports that while inspecting Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the state government to strengthen the fight against criminality on Thursday evening, the Governor had assured newsmen that every effort was being made to secure the victims’ release.
A few hours later, the victims regained their freedom, as sustained pressure on the kidnappers and the saturation of the forest by armed security personnel forced the criminals to abandon their captives 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,” Fanwo said, adding that the school principal, the NECO official and the two students had all been rescued safely and were currently undergoing debriefing and medical checks with security agencies.
Fanwo commended the gallantry and professionalism of all security agencies involved, describing their swift response as a testament to effective inter-agency collaboration in tackling insecurity.
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