After Orire, Kogi operation: 529 kidnapped schoolchildren, worshipers, farmers, others remain in captivity
Despite the successful rescue of students in Kogi State, hundreds of Nigerians remain in captivity following a series of kidnappings across the country. Security experts are calling for better intelligence coordination and a national database to address the persistent kidnapping crisis.
Why it matters
The ongoing insecurity in Nigeria poses a significant threat to public safety and highlights systemic failures in national security infrastructure.
•DHQ: 1, 754 captives regained freedom in six months
•‘Hostages figure could top 7, 000 across seven states’
•Security experts blame poor intelligence coordination, weak political will
•CSOs charge govt to dismantle kidnapping networks, create national hostage database
Barely days after security forces secured the release of the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from Oriire, Oyo State, another school came under attack.
On Tuesday, July 14, armed men stormed Government Secondary School, Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State while students were writing the National Examinations Council, NECO, examination
They fled with two students, the school principal and a NECO ad hoc official.
The incident sparked fears of yet another prolonged school kidnapping. However, before those fears could deepen, Kogi State government announced on Thursday that all the victims had been rescued safely and reunited with security agencies for debriefing and medical evaluation.
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