The Kogi State Government has launched a large-scale multi-agency security operation to rescue a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official and two examination candidates abducted during the ongoing NECO examinations at Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo directed the immediate operation, which is being coordinated by the State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara, with the participation of all security and intelligence agencies operating in the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo.
According to the statement, the victims are the Principal of Government Secondary School, Olowa, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; NECO official, Mr. Solomon Audu; and two female examination candidates identified as Miss Dorcas Sunday and another candidate, Miss Dorcas.
Fanwo explained that five people were initially kidnapped during the attack, but one of the victims has since been rescued, while security operatives have intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining four.
He said personnel from the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Lokoja, the 21 Battalion in Anyigba, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Kogi State Vigilante Service, local hunters and other security outfits have been deployed to the area as part of the rescue mission.
The commissioner added that advanced security technology is also being deployed in the operation, noting that security agencies are making encouraging progress.
According to preliminary investigations, the examination centre, located in a remote community, was allegedly being used as a “miracle centre” for external candidates.
The government further revealed that the two female candidates abducted were not regular students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, and that the examination arrangements at the centre did not comply with the state’s security framework established to safeguard candidates sitting for the ongoing NECO examinations.
“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,” the statement said.
