The Kogi State Government has launched a coordinated multi-agency security operation to rescue a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official and two examination candidates abducted from Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area during the ongoing NECO examinations.
The operation, ordered by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, is being coordinated by the State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, and involves personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi State Vigilante Service, local hunters and other security outfits.
The abducted victims were identified as the Principal of Government Secondary School, Olowa, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; a NECO official, Mr. Solomon Audu; and two female candidates, including Miss Dorcas Sunday.
Authorities said five persons were initially kidnapped during the attack, but one victim has since been rescued.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the government disclosed that troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, and the 21 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Anyigba, alongside other security and intelligence agencies, had been deployed to the area to intensify rescue efforts.
The statement added that advanced technology was also being deployed to support the operation, with security agencies already recording encouraging progress.
The government said preliminary investigations indicated that the examination centre, located in a remote area, was allegedly being used as a “miracle centre” for external candidates.
It noted that the two female candidates involved were not regular students of the school and that arrangements at the centre did not comply with the security framework put in place by the state government for the conduct of the ongoing NECO examinations.
Despite the circumstances surrounding the examination centre, the government stressed that its responsibility to protect lives remained paramount.
“The victims are our people, and the government will spare no effort in ensuring their safe rescue and the arrest of those responsible for the crime,” Fanwo stated.
The state government appealed to residents of Olowa and neighbouring communities to support ongoing efforts by providing credible information to security agencies and complying with security directives.
It also assured that security operatives would sustain the operation until all the abducted victims are rescued and reunited with their families.
