The Kogi State Government has alleged that two of the National Examinations Council candidates abducted during Tuesday's attack on Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area were writing their examinations at what it described as a "miracle centre."
The government also disclosed that security agencies had launched a coordinated operation to rescue four victims who remain in captivity following the attack.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the state government said Governor Usman Ododo had directed all relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abductees.
The rescue operation, according to the statement, is being coordinated by the State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, with the involvement of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Kogi State Vigilante Service, local hunters and other security outfits.
The government identified those still in captivity as the principal of Government Secondary School, Olowa, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; a NECO official, Solomon Audu; and two candidates identified as Dorcas Sunday and another female candidate simply identified as Dorcas.
It noted that although five persons were initially abducted, one of the victims had since regained freedom, while efforts to rescue the remaining captives had recorded encouraging progress with the deployment of advanced technology.
Providing an update on preliminary investigations, the government alleged that the examination centre where the incident occurred was located in a remote area and was 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 allegedly failed to comply with the security measures put in place by the state government for the ongoing NECO examinations.
Despite the findings, the government assured residents that it remained committed to rescuing all those still in captivity and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
"The victims are our people, and the government will spare no effort in ensuring their safe rescue and the arrest of those responsible for the crime," the statement read.
The government added that it would not disclose further details of the operation to avoid compromising the rescue mission, while urging residents of Olowa and neighbouring communities to support security agencies with credible information.
Gunmen had on Tuesday invaded the examination centre while candidates were sitting the ongoing NECO examination, abducting the school principal, a NECO ad hoc official and four students.
The Kogi State Police Command later confirmed that one of the abducted students had been rescued, while efforts to free the remaining victims were ongoing.
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