By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation
The Kogi State Government has revealed that two of the National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates abducted during Tuesday’s attack on Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area were external candidates sitting their examinations at what it described as a “miracle centre.”
The government also announced that a large-scale multi-agency security operation is underway to rescue the four victims still in captivity following the attack.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the government said Governor Usman Ododo had directed all security and intelligence agencies in the state to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.
The rescue operation is being coordinated by the State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, with personnel drawn from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Kogi State Vigilante Service, local hunters and other security outfits.
Those still in captivity include the Principal of Government Secondary School, Olowa, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; a NECO official, Solomon Audu; a candidate, Dorcas Sunday; and another female candidate identified simply as Dorcas.
According to the government, five people were initially abducted during the incident, but one victim has since regained freedom while security operatives continue the search for the remaining captives.
Fanwo disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated the examination centre, located in a remote and vulnerable area, was allegedly being used as a “miracle centre” for external candidates.
“The two female candidates involved were not regular students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, and the examination arrangements did not align with the security framework put in place by the Kogi State Government to protect candidates writing the ongoing NECO examinations across the state,” the statement said.
Despite the findings, the government assured residents that every effort was being made to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“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.
He added that advanced technology is being deployed in the ongoing operation, which is already yielding encouraging results, but declined to provide further details to avoid compromising the rescue mission.
The government also appealed to residents of Olowa and neighbouring communities to support security agencies with credible information and comply with all security directives.
Gunmen had stormed the school on Tuesday while candidates were writing the ongoing NECO examination, abducting the principal, a NECO ad hoc official and several candidates.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend the attackers.
