The Kogi State Government has launched a multi-agency security operation following the abduction of school officials and students during an attack on Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area.
The attack occurred on Tuesday at about 5:25 p.m., while candidates were writing the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination. Gunmen reportedly stormed the community, fired sporadically and invaded the school.
Residents identified the victims as the school principal, Mr. Nyada Daniel (also identified by the state government as Elder Daniel Iyanaa), NECO supervisor Mr. Solomon Audu, and four students. The government later confirmed that five people were initially abducted, with one student rescued, leaving four victims still in captivity.
A community leader, Sunday Alkali, said the attackers initially withdrew after noticing residents outside but later returned and opened fire, forcing people to flee. Residents later found examination papers scattered across classrooms after the attackers had left.
According to reports, the kidnappers have contacted some relatives of the victims, demanding ransom for their release.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident and said Commissioner of Police Naziru Kankarofi had deployed tactical teams to the area. The police chief also visited the scene with the Commander of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, and the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd.), to coordinate rescue efforts.
Police investigations revealed that the school had previously been shut down by the state government because of security concerns linked to its remote location. Authorities alleged that the abandoned premises were being used illegally as a special examination centre for the ongoing NECO examinations.
The police also said they were investigating claims that some individuals facilitated the operation of the centre and allegations that it had become notorious for examination malpractice. They warned that anyone found culpable would face prosecution.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the state government said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had directed all security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the remaining victims.
The rescue operation involves personnel from the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, 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 agencies. The government said advanced technology is also being deployed to aid the operation.
The state government further disclosed that preliminary findings suggest the examination centre was allegedly operating as a “miracle centre” for external candidates. It added that the examination arrangements did not comply with the state’s security guidelines for the ongoing NECO examinations.
Despite the circumstances surrounding the centre, the government assured residents that every effort was being made to rescue the remaining victims, arrest those responsible for the attack and ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
