The Kogi State Government has announced the successful rescue of four persons abducted during an attack on an unauthorized examination center in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area, following a coordinated security operation ordered by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday, describing the rescue as the outcome of a swift, multi-agency response launched immediately after the abduction.
According to Fanwo, 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 statement read. “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.”
The Commissioner said that on the evening of the operation, while inspecting Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the state government to strengthen the fight against criminality, Governor Ododo assured journalists that every effort was being made to secure the victims’ release.
Fanwo said the sustained pressure mounted by security operatives, combined with the saturation of the forest by heavily armed personnel, eventually forced the abductors to abandon their captives and flee.
“A few hours later, the victims regained their freedom,” the statement said. “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 deployed in the forest, with the Commissioner confirming that the operation to track down the fleeing kidnappers is still ongoing.
“Security operatives remain in the forest and the operation is still ongoing,” Fanwo said. “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 confirmed that all four victims — the school principal, a NECO official, and two students — were rescued unharmed and are currently receiving debriefing and medical checks from security agencies.
“We can confirm that the School Principal, the NECO official and the two students have all been rescued safely,” he said. “They are hale and hearty and are currently with security agencies for debriefing and necessary medical checks.”
Fanwo praised the professionalism and gallantry of personnel from the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Police, local vigilante groups and other agencies involved in the operation, calling their swift response further evidence of the strength of inter-agency collaboration in tackling insecurity in the state.
He also conveyed the state government’s appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support of Kogi’s security efforts, noting that the President had directed security agency heads to extend every necessary assistance to the state.
“The President directed the heads of the security agencies to give Kogi every necessary support to rescue the victims,” Fanwo 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.”
The Commissioner reiterated that Governor Ododo’s administration remains committed to ridding the state of criminal elements, pledging continued investment in intelligence gathering, security logistics and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard residents.
