The Kogi State Police Command has described the examination centre where four people were abducted during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations as a "miracle centre," saying it was operating illegally from an abandoned government secondary school.
The command said the victims include the school principal, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; a NECO official, Solomon Audu; and two female candidates identified as Dorcas Sunday and another Dorcas.
Police spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said the attack occurred at the abandoned Government Secondary School in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area, while 10 candidates were sitting for the examination.
Following the incident, Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi deployed tactical and operational teams to the area before visiting the scene alongside the Commander of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, and the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd), to coordinate rescue operations.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the Kogi State Government had previously shut down the school because of its remote location and security concerns. Despite the closure, the premises were allegedly being used as an unauthorised examination centre for the ongoing NECO examinations.
"The abandoned premises were allegedly being used illegally as a special examination centre for the ongoing NECO examination," Afusat said.
She added that investigators were looking into how the facility came to be used despite the government's closure of the school.
"The command has also uncovered allegations that some individuals facilitated the use of the abandoned school for the examination despite its closure by the state government," she said.
The police also linked the centre to allegations of examination malpractice.
"Investigators are also probing claims that the classroom where the examination was conducted had become notorious for examination malpractice," the police spokesperson said.
Describing the facility as a "miracle centre," the command warned that anyone found to have participated in its operation or any examination malpractice would be prosecuted.
"The command wishes to warn that anyone found culpable in the illegal operation of the examination centre or involved in examination malpractice will be prosecuted in accordance with the law," Afusat said.
Meanwhile, security operatives, including the police, the Nigerian Army, local vigilantes and hunters, have intensified search operations to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The police said all available resources were being deployed to secure the safe release of the victims and conduct a thorough investigation into both the abduction and the operation of the alleged illegal examination centre.
The command also appealed to residents to remain calm, provide credible information to security agencies and refrain from spreading unverified reports that could undermine ongoing rescue efforts.
