In an update published by Premium Times, a collaborative security operation in Kogi State has led to the successful rescue of a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official, and two female candidates. The victims had been taken hostage by gunmen during an armed invasion of an examination center in Olowa, located within the Dekina Local Government Area.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, announced that the rescue followed a swift, coordinated directive from Governor Ahmed Ododo. A joint force comprising the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and local vigilantes saturated the surrounding forests. This intense security pressure ultimately compelled the abductors to abandon their captives and flee deeper into the wilderness.
Validating this development, Daily Post confirmed the successful military extraction, quoting Commissioner Fanwo who affirmed that “the sustained military and security operations forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee.” Meanwhile, Channels TV reported on the operational synergy, noting that Governor Ododo praised “effective inter-agency collaboration in tackling criminality” as the key driver of the successful operation.
Echotitbits take:
While the safe return of the academic staff and students is a massive relief, the vulnerability of rural examination centers remains a glaring concern. State governments must prioritize preemptive security deployments around schools, especially during national examination seasons.
Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/896087-abducted-kogi-principal-neco-official-students-rescued.html, July 17, 2026
Photo credit: Premium Times
