The Kogi State Government has confirmed the successful rescue of the school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc official and two students abducted during a gunmen's attack on Government Secondary School (GSS) Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area.

The victims were kidnapped on July 14, 2026, when heavily armed men invaded the school at about 5:25 p.m. while students were sitting for their examinations, throwing the school community into panic.

Announcing the development on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the rescue followed a coordinated security operation launched on the directive of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo immediately after the incident.

According to Fanwo, Governor Ododo instructed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to lead a joint rescue mission involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilante groups and other security agencies.

"Shortly after the kidnapping incident, the Governor directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to coordinate the rescue operation. The State Security Adviser and the leadership of the 12 Brigade and the 21 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Police and local security operatives stormed the forest to ensure the victims were rescued," the commissioner said.

Fanwo disclosed that Governor Ododo had earlier assured residents that every available resource was being deployed to secure the victims' freedom while inspecting newly acquired Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the state government to strengthen the fight against criminality.

He said the sustained offensive mounted by security forces and the massive deployment of armed personnel into the forest forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee.

"A few hours later, the victims regained their freedom. The sustained pressure on the kidnappers and the saturation of the forest by heavily armed security personnel forced the criminals to abandon the victims and flee," he stated.

The commissioner added that security operatives remain in the forest to track down the fleeing suspects, stressing that the operation is still ongoing.

"Our resolve is clear: anyone who chooses the path of crime in Kogi State will face the full weight of the law," he said.

Fanwo confirmed that the rescued principal, NECO official and the two students were in good health and are currently undergoing debriefing and routine medical examinations under the care of security agencies.

He commended the gallantry and professionalism of personnel of the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilante groups and other security agencies involved in the operation, describing the successful rescue as a testament to the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in tackling insecurity.

The commissioner also conveyed the appreciation of the Kogi State Government to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support, revealing that the President directed security chiefs to provide every necessary assistance to ensure the victims were rescued.

"The President directed the heads of the security agencies to give Kogi every necessary support to rescue the victims. Today, that support has yielded the desired result. We are deeply grateful to Mr. President for standing firmly with Kogi State in our determination to protect lives and property," Fanwo said.