Kogi Govt reveals how abducted NECO students, principal were rescued

The Kogi State Government has revealed how security agencies rescued students sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination and their school principal after they were abducted by gunmen in Dekina Local Government Area.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo immediately ordered a coordinated manhunt for the kidnappers after receiving reports of the incident.

According to Fanwo, the governor summoned the State Security Adviser and directed him to mobilise all security agencies to ensure the victims’ swift rescue.

He said within hours, personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes and hunters were deployed to the area.

“We were also able to deploy technology to track the movement of the kidnappers, while all the exit routes they usually use to move victims were blocked. We cut off their logistics.

“There was tremendous pressure on them. The entire area was saturated with security operatives, leaving them with no choice but to abandon the victims because of the intense pursuit. They knew any further attempt to escape could lead to their deaths.

“We didn’t stop there. Even after rescuing the victims, we continued to go after the kidnappers. I won’t say much about their fate for now, but they are being made to account for their terrible deeds,” Fanwo said.

The Kogi State Government on Thursday announced the rescue of four people, including students writing the NECO examination and their principal, who were kidnapped during an attack on Olowa community in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.