Gunmen have abducted the principal of Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc official and four students during the ongoing NECO examination in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The incident occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday while candidates were writing the examination.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the Kogi State Police Command, SP Salisu Oyiza, said the attackers stormed the school and whisked away the victims.
“During the incident, four students, the school principal and one NECO ad hoc staff member were abducted by the attackers,” Oyiza said.
She disclosed that a joint team comprising police personnel and other security agencies immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation.
According to her, one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and arrest those responsible for the attack.
“So far, one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” she added.
The police spokesperson further revealed that the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Kankarofi, alongside the Commander of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the state’s Security Adviser, were on their way to the affected community for an on-the-spot assessment.
She noted that the command would issue a comprehensive statement after obtaining more verified information.
The latest incident comes barely a week after suspected kidnappers ambushed a funeral convoy along the Ochadamu-Ejule Road in Ofu Local Government Area, abducting nine mourners, including two officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
It also occurred despite the recent launch of Operation Handshake Patrol, a joint security initiative by the Kogi and Benue State governments aimed at improving intelligence sharing, dismantling criminal hideouts and tackling cross-border crimes.
The abduction has further heightened concerns over recurring attacks on schools in Kogi State.
On June 10, suspected terrorists attacked Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, killing three persons, including the school’s vice principal and a six-year-old child, in what authorities described as a failed attempt to kidnap students.
Although the Kogi State Government has introduced several security measures, including restrictions on motorcycle operations, a ban on night travel on some roads and intensified military operations, kidnapping incidents have continued in parts of the state.
Security agencies said operations are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
