The Kogi State Government has announced the rescue of four people abducted during a recent attack on Olowa community in Dekina Local Government Area of the state, bringing relief to residents and families following days of anxiety over their fate.
The victims, who include a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official and two students, were rescued after what the state government described as a coordinated security operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilante groups and other security agencies.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to him, the successful rescue followed an order by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo immediately after the abduction, directing security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.
The kidnapping occurred in Olowa community, located in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi East, an area that has witnessed occasional security challenges due to the activities of armed criminal groups operating in forests bordering neighbouring states.
The abduction attracted national attention because it involved students and officials participating in the ongoing National Examinations Council examinations, raising fresh concerns about the safety of schools and examination centres across Nigeria.
Fanwo said Governor Ododo instructed the State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, to coordinate a joint rescue mission involving all relevant security agencies.
According to the commissioner, the security operation brought together troops of the Nigerian Army, personnel of the Department of State Services, officers of the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilante groups and other security operatives.
He said the combined team immediately launched an intensive search of forests and suspected hideouts where the kidnappers were believed to be operating.
“Shortly after the kidnapping incident, the Governor directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd.), 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.
He explained that Governor Ododo remained actively involved in monitoring the operation and had reassured the public that every available resource was being deployed to rescue the victims.
According to the commissioner, the governor made the assurance while inspecting newly acquired Armoured Personnel Carriers purchased by the Kogi State Government to strengthen security operations against criminal elements.
“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,” the statement added.
Fanwo said security personnel have continued operations in the forest despite the successful rescue.
According to him, the operation is still ongoing as security agencies intensify efforts to track down and arrest those responsible for the kidnapping.
“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,” he said.
The commissioner confirmed that all four victims—the school principal, the NECO official and the two students—were rescued unharmed.
He said they are currently in the custody of security agencies, where they are undergoing debriefing and routine medical examinations before being reunited with their families.
“We can confirm that the school principal, the NECO official and the two students have all been rescued safely. They are hale and hearty and are currently with security agencies for debriefing and necessary medical checks,” the statement added.
Fanwo praised the courage and professionalism displayed by the officers and personnel involved in the operation.
He commended the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilante groups and other security agencies for what he described as their swift and coordinated response.
According to him, the operation demonstrates the importance of effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling insecurity.
He also expressed the appreciation of the Kogi State Government to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the state’s security efforts.
The commissioner said the Federal Government’s continued assistance has strengthened the capacity of security agencies operating in Kogi and contributed to the success of recent operations against criminal groups.
Kogi State occupies a strategic position as the gateway between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions. Because of its location, the state has occasionally experienced security threats, including kidnapping, armed robbery and attacks by criminal gangs operating in forests and remote communities.
In recent years, the state government has invested in security infrastructure, including patrol vehicles, communication equipment and armoured personnel carriers, while also supporting intelligence gathering and joint security operations.
Governor Ododo has repeatedly pledged to sustain the fight against criminality and improve security across the state’s 21 local government areas.
The latest rescue also comes amid growing concerns over attacks on schools and examination centres in different parts of Nigeria.
Although security around schools has improved in many areas following previous mass abductions, isolated attacks continue to raise fears among parents, teachers and education authorities.
The successful rescue of the principal, NECO official and students is therefore expected to reassure residents and reinforce confidence in the ongoing efforts of security agencies to respond quickly to kidnapping incidents.
While the victims have regained their freedom, authorities insist that the operation will continue until those responsible are arrested and brought to justice, as the state government reiterates its commitment to ensuring that Kogi remains unsafe for criminals.