Security agencies have launched a large-scale operation to rescue victims abducted during an attack on a school in Kogi State, with one of the kidnapped students already freed.
The Kogi State Police Command said gunmen invaded Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area on Tuesday, abducting four students, the school principal and an ad hoc staff member of the National Examination Council (NECO).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Afusat, said a combined team of police and other security agencies immediately began a search-and-rescue operation and is currently pursuing the attackers.
According to him, one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
Afusat added that the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, alongside the Brigade Commander, the State Security Adviser to the Governor and other top security officials, was heading to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
He also assured that a more comprehensive statement would be released after additional verified information becomes available.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government confirmed that it had deployed a massive multi-agency security operation to ensure the safe rescue of those still in captivity.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said Governor Usman Ododo directed the operation, which is being coordinated by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), with the participation of all security and intelligence agencies in the state.
Fanwo said personnel of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Lokoja, the 21 Battalion in Anyigba, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Kogi State Vigilante Service, local hunters and other security outfits had been deployed, while advanced technology was also being used to support the operation.
He disclosed that preliminary findings indicated the examination centre, located in a remote area, was being used as a “miracle centre” for external candidates. According to him, the two female candidates involved were not regular students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, and the examination arrangements did not comply with the State’s security framework for the ongoing NECO examinations.
Fanwo 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 has yet to be confirmed.
He said five people were initially abducted, but one victim has since regained freedom, leaving four others still in captivity.
The state government assured residents that it would spare no effort to secure the safe return of the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
It also urged residents of Olowa and neighbouring communities to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information while noting that further operational details would not be disclosed for now to protect the integrity of the rescue mission.
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