The Kogi State Government has described the examination centre where National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates were abducted in Dekina Local Government Area as a “miracle centre” allegedly being used by external candidates.

The government disclosed that preliminary investigations showed the examination centre at Government Secondary School, Olowa, was located in a remote and vulnerable area and did not comply with the state’s security framework for the ongoing NECO examinations.

According to the government, the two female candidates abducted during Tuesday’s attack were not regular students of the school but were writing their examinations at the centre under circumstances now being investigated.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying Governor Usman Ododo had ordered a large-scale multi-agency security operation to secure the release of the remaining captives.

The operation is being coordinated by the State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, with the participation of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Kogi State Vigilante Service, local hunters and other security agencies.

Those still being held are the Principal of Government Secondary School, Olowa, Elder Daniel Iyanaa; a NECO official, Solomon Audu; a NECO candidate, Dorcas Sunday; and another female candidate identified simply as Dorcas.

The government said one of the abducted victims had already been rescued, while advanced technology and coordinated intelligence were being deployed to ensure the safe return of the remaining captives.

It said, “Preliminary findings indicate that the examination centre, located in a remote and vulnerable area, was being used as a ‘miracle’ centre for external candidates.

“The two female candidates involved were not regular students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, and the examination arrangements did not align with the security framework put in place by the Kogi State Government to protect candidates writing the ongoing NECO examinations across the state.”

Despite the preliminary findings, the state government assured residents that rescuing the victims remained its top priority.

“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,” Fanwo said.

The government added that it would withhold further operational details to avoid compromising the ongoing rescue mission.

“To protect the integrity of the ongoing operation, the Government will not disclose further operational details at this time.

“Residents of Olowa and surrounding communities are urged to cooperate with security personnel by providing credible information and complying with security directives,’’ the statement added.

The attack occurred on Tuesday when armed men stormed the school while candidates were sitting for the ongoing NECO examinations, abducting the principal, a NECO ad hoc staff member and four students.

The Kogi State Police Command had earlier confirmed that one of the abducted students had been rescued, while efforts were continuing to free the remaining victims and apprehend those behind the attack.