A senior government official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly on the operation, said security agencies had made significant progress in tracking the kidnappers.

According to the command, neither the police nor any of the security agencies involved in efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers..

The governor urged residents of the state especially those in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire LGA to be patient as efforts were in top gear to rescue the kidnap victims.