By Ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Government, has officially received a school principal, a National Examination Council (NECO) official, and two students, who were abducted in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area.
The victims were freed following a coordinated security operation involving relevant security agencies.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, accompanied by heads of security agencies in the state, received the victims at Government House, Lokoja.
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The victims were abducted when gunmen attacked the examination centre while candidates were writing the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
According to Kogi State Government, the rescue was carried out by a joint team of the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes and other security operatives, acting on Governor Ododo’s directive to ensure the safe return of the victims.
Speaking while welcoming the victims, Governor Ododo applauded security agencies for their coordinated operations, describing the rescue as a testament to the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in tackling insecurity in the state.
He used the forum to reiterated that his administration will never negotiate with criminals or pay ransom, warning that criminal elements may find their way into the state, but they will not return.
He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the necessary support to security agencies, assuring the President that Kogi State would continue to justify the confidence reposed in it.
The governor, assured that a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the conduct of the NECO examination at the abandoned school would be carried out.
According to him, preliminary findings indicated that the school had earlier been shut down because of its remote location and security concerns.
“I await the outcome of the investigation to determine why the principal decided to take only 10 students to an isolated location for the examination,” he said.
Ododo urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that security operatives were on the trail of the kidnappers and would ensure they were arrested and prosecuted.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, said the four victims were rescued alive on Thursday evening following sustained pressure mounted on the kidnappers by joint security forces.
He disclosed that the victims comprised the school principal, Elder Daniel Iyanda; a NECO official, Mr Solomon Peter; and two female candidates identified as Miss Dorcas Sunday and another Miss Dorcas.
Kankarofi explained that immediately after the incident was reported on July 14, he led a joint assessment team to the scene alongside the Commander of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, and the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd).
He said additional tactical teams, intelligence assets and operational personnel were subsequently deployed, while joint security operatives, including the police, military, local vigilantes and hunters, launched extensive bush-combing operations across forests and neighbouring communities.
“The sustained operational pressure mounted on the kidnappers forced them to abandon the victims, who were successfully rescued alive at about 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026,” the police commissioner said.
Kankarofi revealed that investigations had uncovered that the examination was conducted at an abandoned government school previously shut down by the State Government due to security concerns.
According to him, intelligence available to the police indicated that the abandoned premises had been unlawfully converted into a so-called special examination centre for 10 candidates writing the ongoing NECO examination.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Governor Ododo, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes and hunters for their support and collaboration in the rescue operation.
Kankarofi assured residents that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest all those responsible for the abduction, while urging examination bodies, school authorities and members of the public to cooperate with investigators.
Meanwhile, scenes of excitement and relief unfolded across Kogi as news of the rescue of the abducted persons was announced by the State Government.
