Gunmen have reportedly abducted the principal of Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, one National Examinations Council (NECO) ad-hoc official and four students during the ongoing NECO examination in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Salisu Oyiza, Kogi State Police Command spokesperson, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, said the attack occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday while candidates were writing the examination.
“During the incident, four students, the school principal and one NECO ad hoc staff member were abducted by the attackers,” Ms Oyiza said.
She said a combined team of the police and other security agencies immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation.
“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.
According to the police spokesperson, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Kankarofi, the Commander of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the state’s Security Adviser were heading to the community for an on-the-spot assessment.
She said the command would issue a detailed statement after obtaining more verified information.
The abduction comes a few days after suspected kidnappers ambushed a funeral convoy along the Ochadamu-Ejule Road in Ofu Local Government Area on 9 July, abducting nine mourners, including two officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who were accompanying the remains of Deputy Corps Commander Augustine Ikwue to his hometown in Benue State.
