Kogi Launches Massive Security Operation to Rescue Abducted School Principal, NECO Official, Students

The Kogi State Government has launched a coordinated multi-agency security operation to rescue four persons abducted from Government Secondary School (GSS), Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

The operation was ordered by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and is being coordinated by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd.), with the participation of all security and intelligence agencies operating in the state.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, security personnel have intensified efforts to ensure the safe return of the victims and the arrest of those responsible for the attack.

The government identified the abducted victims as Elder Daniel Iyanaa, Principal of Government Secondary School, Olowa; Mr. Solomon Audu, a NECO official; Miss Dorcas Sunday, a NECO candidate; and another female NECO candidate identified simply as Miss Dorcas, whose surname is yet to be confirmed.

The statement disclosed that five people were initially abducted during the incident, but one victim has since been rescued, while security agencies continue efforts to free the remaining four.

To strengthen the rescue mission, the government said personnel from the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Lokoja; the 21 Battalion, Nigerian Army, 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 affected area.

It added that advanced technology is also being deployed to support the operation, noting that security agencies are recording encouraging progress.

The government said preliminary findings indicated that the examination centre, located in a remote and vulnerable community, was allegedly being used as a "miracle centre" for external candidates.

According to the statement, the two abducted female candidates were not regular students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, while the examination arrangements at the centre did not conform to the security framework established by the state government for candidates participating in the ongoing NECO examinations across Kogi State.

However, the government stressed that the circumstances surrounding the examination centre do not lessen its responsibility to protect every resident and visitor within the state.

"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.

To avoid compromising the ongoing operation, the government said it would not disclose additional operational details at this stage.

It appealed to residents of Olowa and neighbouring communities to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence and complying with all security directives.

The Kogi State Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring residents that it would continue working closely with all security agencies until the abducted victims are safely reunited with their families.