Kogi: Police probe alleged illegal NECO centre after rescue mission

By Boluwaji Obahopo

Kogi State Police Command on Friday announced the successful rescue of four persons abducted by gunmen during an attack on a purported NECO examination centre at the abandoned Government Secondary School, Olowa Agbajo, in Dekina Local Government Area.

‎Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Lokoja, saying the victims were rescued alive on Thursday evening following sustained joint security operations.

‎The victims are the school principal, Elder Daniel Iyanda; a NECO official, Mr. Solomon Peter; and two female candidates identified as Miss Dorcas Sunday and another Miss Dorcas.

‎According to the police commissioner, the victims were abducted on July 14 when armed kidnappers invaded the examination centre where 10 special candidates were sitting for the ongoing NECO examination.

‎Kankarofi said he immediately visited the scene alongside the Commander of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, Brigadier General Kasim Sidi, and the State Security Adviser to the Governor, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to assess the situation and coordinate rescue efforts.

‎He said additional tactical teams and intelligence assets were deployed while joint security operatives comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes, hunters and other stakeholders launched intensive bush-combing operations across the forests and surrounding communities.

‎The police commissioner said the sustained pressure mounted on the kidnappers forced them to abandon the victims, who were rescued at about 7:45 p.m. on Thursday.

‎”I am pleased to inform you that these concerted efforts yielded the desired result. At about 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, all four abducted victims were successfully rescued alive through the sustained operational pressure mounted on the criminal elements,” he said.

‎He added that the victims had since been reunited with the appropriate authorities and were receiving the necessary care and support, noting that no life was lost during the operation.

‎Kankarofi, however, disclosed that preliminary investigations had uncovered disturbing revelations surrounding the examination centre.

‎According to him, Government Secondary School, Olowa Agbajo, had earlier been shut down by the Kogi State Government because of its isolated location and security concerns, but the abandoned facility was allegedly being used as a “special examination centre” for candidates writing the ongoing NECO examination.

‎He further revealed that investigators were probing allegations that some individuals facilitated the use of the abandoned school despite its closure and that the classroom used for the examination had allegedly become notorious as a centre for examination malpractice.

‎The police commissioner assured that anyone found culpable, irrespective of status, would be arrested and prosecuted.

‎He warned that public examinations should only be conducted in approved and secure centres, stressing that any arrangement exposing candidates, officials or members of the public to danger would not be tolerated.

‎Kankarofi commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for the prompt deployment of operational resources that strengthened the rescue mission.

‎He also praised Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for supporting security agencies, while applauding the Nigerian Army, DSS, NSCDC, local vigilantes, hunters and other members of the joint security team for their collaboration.

‎The police commissioner assured residents that the operation had not ended, stressing that efforts were ongoing to identify, track and arrest those responsible for the abduction.

‎He also urged examination bodies, school authorities and other stakeholders to cooperate with investigators while calling on members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies.

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