Kogi School Abduction: Two Students Released Alongside Principal, NECO Official
Two students who were kidnapped during an attack on Government Secondary School, Opada-Olowa, Kogi State have been released together with the school principal and a National Examinations Council (NECO) official, raising fresh fears about the safety of children in educational institutions.
The Kogi State Government confirmed that the four persons were released after a coordinated operation by the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes and other security agencies.
The students who were preparing for exams were released with the principal, Elder Daniel Iyanaa and the NECO official, Solomon Audu, during the attack on the school. They were in good condition, undergoing medical checks and debriefing, authorities said.
The incident has again brought the issue of the increasing dangers of children and education workers in the face of insecurity to the fore as insecurity is affecting learning spaces in parts of Nigeria.
Schools should be safe places where children can learn without fear of violence, abduction or threats to their wellbeing, child protection advocates say. They highlight the need for improved security, early warning and child support systems.
The Kogi State Government has stated that security operatives are still on the chase to identify the perpetrators of the attack and thanked the security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the affected persons.
