The Kogi State Police Command has rescued 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.
According to a report by The Guardian, the 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 rescued 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.
Kankarofi said 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.
He explained that he immediately 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 (Rtd.), to coordinate rescue efforts.
According to the police commissioner, additional tactical teams and intelligence assets were deployed, while a joint security team 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 nearby forests and communities.
He 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,” Kankarofi said.
He added that the victims had since been reunited with the appropriate authorities and were receiving necessary care and support, noting that no life was lost during the operation.
The police commissioner, 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 for examination malpractice.
Kankarofi assured that anyone found culpable, regardless of status, would be arrested and prosecuted.
He warned that public examinations must only be conducted in approved and secure centres, stressing that arrangements exposing candidates, officials or members of the public to danger would not be tolerated.
The commissioner 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 and applauded the Nigerian Army, DSS, NSCDC, local vigilantes, hunters and other members of the joint security team for their collaboration.
Kankarofi assured residents that security operations were continuing to identify, track and arrest those responsible for the abduction.
He urged examination bodies, school authorities and other stakeholders to cooperate with investigators and called on members of the public to provide credible and timely information to security agencies.
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