Gunmen Abduct Kogi School Principal, Four Students During NECO Examination

Suspected gunmen have abducted the principal of Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, four students, and a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc staff member during an attack on the school in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The incident occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday while students were writing the ongoing NECO examination, according to the Kogi State Police Command.

Confirming the attack in a statement on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Salisu Oyiza, said the assailants stormed the school and whisked away the victims.

She disclosed that a joint team comprising police operatives and other security agencies immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation and has begun trailing the kidnappers.

Oyiza added that one of the abducted students has since been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the safe release of the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

The spokesperson further revealed that the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Kankarofi, alongside the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser to Governor Ahmed Ododo, were heading to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

The latest incident has heightened concerns over the safety of students and school personnel, particularly as candidates continue to sit for nationwide examinations amid growing insecurity in parts of the country.