Kogi govt begins manhunt after abduction of school principal, students

Kogi State Government has launched a massive multi-agency security operation to rescue a school principal, a National Examinations Council, NECO, official and two other students kidnapped during the ongoing NECO examinations at Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.

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

This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, on Wednesday.

Fanwo identified the kidnapped 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 candidate, Miss Dorcas.

According to the statement, five people were initially abducted by the attackers, but one victim has already been rescued while efforts have been intensified to secure the release of the remaining four.

The statement 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, the Kogi State Vigilante Service, local hunters and other security outfits have been deployed to the area.

It added that advanced technology is also being used in the operation and that encouraging progress is being recorded.

“Preliminary findings showed the examination centre, located in a remote area, was being used as a “miracle” centre for external candidates.

“The two female candidates who were abducted were not regular students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, and that the examination arrangements did not comply with the security framework put in place by the state to protect candidates writing the ongoing NECO examinations.

“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.