The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has commended security agencies for the swift and successful rescue of four persons abducted from Government Secondary School, GSS, Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area during the ongoing National Examinations Council, NECO.
The Governor gave the commendation on Friday during a press briefing at Government House, Lokoja, where he met with heads of security agencies in the state.
He specifically applauded the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Nazir Kankarfi; Commander, 12 Mechanized Brigade; Commander, Nigerian Navy; State Director, Department of State Services, DSS; Head of Kogi State Vigilante Service; and local hunters for tlheir professionalism and coordination.
p”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.
The Kogi State Government 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, CP Bello Nazir Kankarfi, the operation was coordinated by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), 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.
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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,” he said.
”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,
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.
