Kogi State authorities say two NECO candidates abducted during an attack on Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area, were writing their examinations at an unauthorised “miracle centre.” The Kogi State Government reports that gunmen stormed the school while NECO exams were ongoing, kidnapping the school principal, a NECO ad hoc staff member, and four students. According to the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, five people were initially abducted, with one victim already rescued.
The government states that the two abducted candidates involved in the examinations were not regular students of the school and that the alleged “miracle centre” was located in a remote and vulnerable area. Authorities say the centre appeared to be operating for external candidates and did not follow the state’s established security protocols for protecting NECO candidates.
Kogi’s government says it has launched a major multi-agency security operation ordered by Governor Usman Ododo, coordinated by the State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, involving security services and local partners, with technology being used to support the search. The government urges residents to provide useful information while operations continue and says details are withheld to avoid compromising the mission.
