Ododo Receives Rescued Kidnap Victims, Vows To Hunt Down Criminals, Rules Out Ransom Payment
By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Government House, Lokoja
July 17, 2026
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Friday received the four victims recently rescued from kidnappers in Dekina Local Government Area at the Government House, Lokoja, assuring Kogites that every person involved in the criminal act would be apprehended and brought to justice.
Addressing journalists after meeting with the victims, Governor Ododo described the incident as unfortunate and shocking, thanking God for the successful rescue operation and commending the coordinated efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes, hunters and residents whose timely intelligence led to the rescue.
Reaffirming his administration’s resolve against criminality, the Governor declared that Kogi State would never negotiate or pay ransom to kidnappers.
«”We will never negotiate with criminals. We will never succumb to their pressure. No ransom will be paid. They may come into Kogi, but leaving this state will be difficult because our security architecture is working,” he said.
Governor Ododo disclosed that security operatives were still combing the forests, stressing that those behind the abduction had been identified and would soon be brought to justice. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the examination centre where the victims were abducted, noting that the state government would make the findings public upon conclusion of the investigation.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, disclosed that the victims were abducted on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, when armed kidnappers attacked a NECO examination centre operating within the abandoned Government Secondary School, Olowa Odo-Ekina in Dekina Local Gov
, in Dekina Local Government Area. He said the victims comprised the school principal, a NECO official and two female candidates.
According to the Police Commissioner, a joint security operation involving the Police, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and hunters launched an intensive bush-combing to exercise and intelligence-driven operation immediately after the incident. He disclosed that the sustained pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives, leading to the successful rescue of all four victims at about 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 16.
CP Naziru
revealed that preliminary investigations indicated the abandoned school, which had earlier been closed by the Kogi State Government over security concerns, was unlawfully used as a special examination centre. He assured that everyone found to have facilitated the use of the abandoned facility or violated any law in connection with the incident would be arrested and prosecuted.
He commended Governor Ododo for his unwavering support to security agencies and appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, the Commander of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, NSCDC, local vigilantes and hunters for their collaboration, assuring residents that security operations would continue until every member of the kidnapping gang was apprehended.
Governor Ododo also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to security operations across the country and urged residents to remain calm and continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring them that Kogi State remains safe and secure.
