By Abubakar Suleman
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has commended security agencies for their swift response which led to the prompt successful rescue of the principal, two students and a Staff of NECO who were kidnapped from Government Secondary School,Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
The four persons were kidnapped during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO).
ododo gave the commendation on Friday while receving the rescued victims at Government House, Lokoja.
All heads of security agencies in the state were present at the event.
He specifically applauded the Commissioner of Police, Bello Nazir Kankarfi; Commander, 12 Mechanized Brigade; Commander, Nigerian Navy; State Director, Department of State Services, Head of Kogi State Vigilante Service; and local hunters for their professionalism and coordination.
”I want to sincerely thank our security agencies for rising to the occasion.
“Their collaboration, intelligence and bravery led to the safe rescue of our children and education stakeholders,” Governor Ododo said.
Governor Ododo stressed that the incident would not reduce the government’s responsibility to protect lives.
”This does not diminish our responsibility to protect every resident and every Nigerian within our borders.
“The victims are our people, and we will continue to do everything possible to keep them safe,” he said.
The Kogi State Government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, and pledged to continue working closely with security agencies, school authorities and communities to ensure the safety of schools during examinations.
Government also confirmed that all four victims were rescued unhurt following a massive multi-agency operation.
The rescued victims are Elder Daniel Iyanaa, Principal of GSS, Olowa; Mr. Solomon Audu, a NECO ad-hoc official; Miss Dorcas Sunday, a NECO candidate; and another female NECO candidate simply identified as Miss Dorcas.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Bello Nazir Kankarfi, the operation was coordinated by the State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, and involved personnel from the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja; 21 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Anyigba; the Nigeria Police Force; DSS; Kogi State Vigilante Service; local hunters and other security outfits.
”The success of this operation is a product of synergy.
“We worked as one team and we are determined to ensure that criminals have no hiding place in Kogi State,” CP Kankarfi stated.
”Despite the successful rescue of the victims, the governor has directed that those behind the crime be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent.
”Preliminary findings indicate that the examination centre was located in a remote and vulnerable area and was being used as a “miracle” centre for external candidates, ” he said.
The commissioner of police noted that the two female candidates involved were not regular students of GSS Olowa, and that the examination arrangements did not align with the security framework put in place by the Kogi State Government to protect candidates writing NECO across the state.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
