Abducted principal, NECO official, 2 candidates rescued in Kogi

The Kogi State Government said security operatives have rescued the four people abducted during Wednesday’s attack on Government Secondary School, Opada-Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area. Those rescued are the school principal, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; a National Examinations Council (NECO) official, Mr Solomon Audu; and two candidates. The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley […]

The Kogi State Government said security operatives have rescued the four people abducted during Wednesday’s attack on Government Secondary School, Opada-Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area.

Those rescued are the school principal, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; a National Examinations Council (NECO) official, Mr Solomon Audu; and two candidates.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, announced the rescue in a statement on Thursday.

He said the operation followed a coordinated rescue mission ordered by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo immediately after the attack.

“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 medical checks,” Fanwo said.

He added that security operatives were still combing the forest to apprehend the kidnappers.

According to him, the rescue operation was coordinated by the State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, and involved the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes and other security agencies.

Fanwo said sustained pressure from the joint security team forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee.

He commended the security agencies for their professionalism and described the operation as another example of effective inter-agency collaboration against insecurity.