Abducted NECO Candidates Took Exams at ‘Miracle Center’ – Kogi State Govt Launches Major Rescue Operation
Gunmen Attack Kogi School, Kidnap Principal, NECO Official, and Four Students During Exams
The Kogi State Government has announced that two of the NECO candidates abducted during Tuesday’s attack on Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area, were external candidates taking their exams at what the government called a “miracle center.”
The government also said that a large, multi-agency security operation is underway to rescue the four victims still in captivity after the attack.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the government stated that Governor Usman Ododo had instructed all security and intelligence agencies in the state to step up efforts to free the victims.
The State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, is leading the rescue effort, with personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi State Vigilante Service, local hunters, and other security units.
The captives include the Principal of Government Secondary School, Olowa, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; a NECO official, Solomon Audu; a candidate, Dorcas Sunday; and another female candidate, also named Dorcas.
The government explained that initially five people were abducted during the incident, but one has since been released, and security forces continue searching for the remaining captives.
Fanwo shared that early investigations suggested the exam center, located in a remote and vulnerable area, was allegedly being used as a “miracle center” for outside candidates.
“The two female candidates involved were not regular students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, and the examination setup did not match the security measures established by the Kogi State Government to protect those taking the ongoing NECO exams across the state,” the statement said.
Despite these findings, the government assured residents that every effort is 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 return and the arrest of those responsible for this crime,” Fanwo declared.
He added that advanced technology is being used in the ongoing operation, which has already shown promising results, but declined to give more details so as not to jeopardize the rescue efforts.
The government also called on residents of Olowa and nearby communities to assist security agencies by providing credible information and to follow all security directives.
Gunmen attacked the school on Tuesday while students were taking their NECO exams, abducting the principal, a NECO official, and several candidates.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command confirmed that one of the abducted students has been rescued. Efforts are still underway to free the remaining victims and catch the kidnappers.
