The Kogi State Government has activated a joint security operation involving multiple agencies to secure the release of four persons kidnapped from the Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were reportedly taken away on Tuesday while the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations were being conducted at the school.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lokoja, assuring that efforts were underway to rescue the abductees.
According to him, security agencies are combining intelligence, manpower and advanced technology in the operation, with “encouraging progress” already being made.
Fanwo explained that initial investigations revealed that the examination centre was situated in a remote and vulnerable location and had allegedly been operating as a “miracle” centre for external candidates.
He added that the two female candidates among those abducted were not regular students of Olowa Government Secondary School, noting that the examination arrangements did not meet the security measures established by the state government for NECO candidates.
“This does not diminish our responsibility to protect every resident and every Nigerian within Kogi borders,” he stated.
The commissioner said personnel from the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Lokoja; 21 Battalion, Anyigba; the Nigeria Police Force; Department of State Services (DSS); State Vigilante Service; local hunters and other security groups had been deployed to the area.
He assured that the government would continue to deploy all available resources to ensure the safe return of the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“To protect the integrity of the operation, further operational details will not be disclosed at this time,” Fanwo said.
He urged residents of Olowa and neighbouring communities to support the security agencies by providing useful and reliable information that could assist the rescue efforts.
Fanwo reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that it would continue working with security agencies until the abducted persons are reunited safely with their families.