Gunmen on Tuesday attacked Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting four students, the principal and a National Examinations Council, NECO, ad-hoc staff.
The attack, which occurred at about 5:25 pm while the students were writing their NECO examination, came as three newly passed-out soldiers on their way from Zaria to Zamfara State, were also abducted by terrorists who demanded N50 million.
However, both the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, and Defence Headquarters said they were not aware of the development.
On the Kogi attack, residents said the heavily armed assailants stormed the community, firing sporadically to scare people before invading the school.
A community leader, Sunday Alkali, said residents were relaxing under trees when the gunmen suddenly appeared.
“The gunmen seemed surprised to see many people outside at that time of the day and initially retreated. They later returned, shooting indiscriminately, forcing everyone to flee for safety,” he said.
“We initially did not know what the gunmen were after. After the shooting stopped, some of us went to the school and found examination papers scattered across classrooms and the school premises. There were no students or school officials in sight,” another resident said.
The victims were later identified as the school principal, Mr. Nyada Daniel; the NECO exams supervisor, Mr. Solomon Audu; and four students.
Residents noted that the number of abducted students could have been higher but for the fact that only a limited number of candidates were writing Literature in English at the time, unlike core subjects such as English Language and Mathematics, which attract larger attendance.
The kidnappers were also said to have contacted some relatives of the victims on Tuesday evening, demanding ransom for their release.
“At least four families have received calls from the abductors demanding huge sums of money for the victims’ freedom,” Alkali alleged.
Following the incident, soldiers, police officers, local vigilantes and hunters were said to have been mobilised to the area to track the abductors and rescue the victims.
“Soldiers, policemen, vigilantes and hunters are combing the surrounding forests in search of the kidnappers,” a resident, who requested anonymity, said.
One student rescued — Police
Confirming the attack yesterday, Kogi State Police Command said it had launched a rescue operation, following the abduction.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said the incident occurred while 10 candidates were reportedly writing the ongoing NECO examination at the abandoned school.
“Following the attack, Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi deployed tactical and operational teams to the area.
‘’The police chief also visited the scene alongside the Commander of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, Brig-Gen. Kasim Sidi, and the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, retd, to assess the situation and coordinate rescue efforts,’’ the command stated.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the school had previously been shut down by Kogi State Government because of its remote location and security concerns.
However, authorities said the abandoned premises were allegedly being used illegally as a “special examination centre” for the ongoing NECO examination.
The police further disclosed that allegations had emerged indicating that some individuals might have facilitated the use of the abandoned school despite its closure.
“Investigators are also probing claims that the classroom where the examination was conducted had become notorious for examination malpractice,’’ it added.
The command warned that anyone found to have played any role in the illegal operation of the examination centre or any examination malpractice would be prosecuted.
Gov Ododo mobilises security agents to rescue abductees
Also confirming the incident, Kogi State government said it had launched a multi-agency security operation to rescue those abducted in the school.
The state government disclosed this in a statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, saying Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo directed security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ safe release.
According to the statement, the operation is being coordinated by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, retd, with the participation of security and intelligence agencies operating in the state.
The government listed victims to include Principal of Government Secondary School, Olowa, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; a NECO official, Mr. Solomon Audu; a NECO candidate, Miss Dorcas Sunday; and another female candidate identified simply as Miss Dorcas, whose surname was yet to be confirmed.
The government said five persons were initially abducted during the incident, adding that one of the victims had been rescued, while efforts had been intensified to secure release of the remaining four.
“Personnel of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja; 21 Battalion, Nigerian Army, 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 to the area. Advanced technology is also being deployed to support the rescue operation,’’ the government stated.
It further disclosed that preliminary findings indicated that the examination centre, located in a remote area, was allegedly being used as a “miracle centre” for external candidates
According to the statement, the two female candidates involved were not regular students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, while the examination arrangements did not conform with the security framework put in place by the state government for candidates participating in the ongoing NECO examinations.
The government, however, maintained that the circumstances surrounding the examination centre would not affect its responsibility to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors in the state.
It assured that every effort was being made to rescue the victims and apprehend those behind the abduction.
The government appealed to residents of Olowa and neighbouring communities to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid the rescue efforts.
Credit: Vanguard
