The Kogi State Police Command has launched a massive rescue operation following the abduction of four persons by suspected kidnappers who attacked an examination centre located at an abandoned Government Secondary School in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were identified as the school principal, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; a National Examinations Council (NECO) official, Mr. Solomon Audu; and two female candidates, Dorcas Sunday and another candidate identified simply as Dorcas, reports Vanguard.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said the incident occurred while 10 candidates were sitting for the ongoing NECO examination at the abandoned school.
Following the attack, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, immediately deployed tactical and operational teams to the area.
The police commissioner also visited the scene alongside the Commander of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, and the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), to assess the situation and coordinate rescue efforts.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the school had earlier been shut down by the Kogi State government due to its remote location and security concerns.
However, the Command said the abandoned premises were allegedly being used illegally as a “special examination centre” for the ongoing NECO examination.
The police further disclosed that investigations had uncovered allegations that some individuals may have facilitated the use of the abandoned school despite its closure by the government.
“Investigators are also probing claims that the classroom where the examination was conducted had become notorious for examination malpractice,” the command said.
The police described the centre as a “miracle centre” and warned that anyone found to have played a role in the illegal operation of the facility or examination malpractice would face prosecution.
Meanwhile, additional security personnel have been deployed to the area, with combined teams of the police, Nigerian Army, local vigilantes, hunters and other security stakeholders conducting intensive bush-combing and intelligence-led operations to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The Police Command assured residents that all available resources were being deployed to secure the safe release of the abducted persons, while also promising a thorough investigation into the kidnapping and the circumstances surrounding the operation of the alleged illegal examination centre.
The Command appealed to members of the public to remain calm, provide credible information to security agencies and avoid spreading unverified reports that could jeopardise the ongoing rescue efforts.
