Kogi State launches operation to find kidnapped NECO candidates

The Kogi State Government has started a security operation to rescue four people kidnapped from Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area. This happened during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.

Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, shared this news in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Fanwo said Governor Ahmed Ododo ordered security agencies to use all resources to free the victims. "The Kogi State Government has mobilised a massive multi-agency security operation to secure the safe rescue of four persons abducted from Government Secondary School (GSS), Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations," Mr Fanwo stated.

He mentioned that the operation is being led by the State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara. It includes the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Kogi State Vigilante Service, local hunters, and other security groups.

Mr Fanwo said advanced technology is also in use to help with the rescue. He noted that "encouraging progress is being recorded."

The government identified the victims as the school’s principal, Daniel Iyanaa; a NECO official, Solomon Audu; and two female candidates, Miss Dorcas Sunday and Miss Dorcas. Mr Fanwo added that five people were taken during the attack, but one has been rescued.

“The Kogi State Government… stresses that this does not diminish its responsibility to protect every resident and every Nigerian within its borders. 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,” he said.

The commissioner explained that early investigations showed that the examination centre, found in a remote area, was being used as a “miracle centre” for external candidates. This setup did not match the state’s security plan for the ongoing NECO exams.

He also said that they would not share operational details to avoid affecting the rescue efforts. This latest news comes after Tuesday’s attack on the school, when gunmen kidnapped the principal, a NECO official, and students while the exams were happening.

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that the Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident. They said one of the kidnapped students was rescued while police and other security agencies began a joint search-and-rescue mission.

Police spokesperson Salisu Oyiza mentioned that the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, the Commander of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, and the State Security Adviser visited the area for an on-the-spot evaluation.

This kidnapping is one of many security problems in Kogi State. On 9 July, suspected kidnappers attacked a funeral convoy along the Ochadamu-Ejule Road in Ofu Local Government Area. They took nine mourners, including two officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), while they were transporting Deputy Corps Commander Augustine Ikwue's remains to Benue State for burial. The kidnappers later left the deceased officer’s body and asked for N450 million ransom for the victims.

Earlier, on 10 June, suspected terrorists attacked Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area. This was described as an attempted mass abduction of students. Three people, including the school’s vice principal and a six-year-old child, were killed.

The Kogi government later said security forces killed the alleged leader of the attack, Kachalla Ibrahim Batijo, and increased military operations across parts of the state. Authorities also banned motorcycle operations in some areas of Kabba/Bunu, restricted night travel on certain state roads, and boosted intelligence-led operations to fight kidnappings and banditry.

Despite these actions, attacks on schools, highways, and rural areas continue, raising new worries about security in the state. Security agencies say they are working hard to rescue the remaining victims of Tuesday’s kidnapping.