SECURITY operatives have rescued four persons abducted during an attack on a school in Kogi State, the state government has announced.
News Point Nigeria reports that four students, their principal and an ad hoc staff member of the National Examination Council (NECO) were kidnapped on Tuesday after gunmen attacked the school in Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that the victims had regained their freedom.
He described the rescue as the result of a coordinated security operation ordered by Governor Usman Ododo immediately after the incident.
“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,” Fanwo said.
“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.
“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.”
According to the commissioner, Governor Ododo had, shortly after the kidnapping incident, directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to coordinate the rescue operation.
The Kogi State Government also commended the gallantry and professionalism of personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local security operatives and other agencies involved in the operation.
Fanwo described the swift response of the security agencies as another demonstration of the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in the fight against insecurity.
He further conveyed the appreciation of the Kogi State Government to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support for the state’s security efforts.
“The President directed the heads of the security agencies to give Kogi every necessary support to rescue the victims,” the commissioner said.
“Today, that support has yielded the desired result. We are deeply grateful to Mr. President for standing firmly with Kogi State in our determination to protect lives and property.”