Gunmen attack Kogi school, abduct principal, NECO official, four students

Gunmen on Tuesday attacked Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc official and four students.

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

Following the incident, a combined team of police personnel and other security agencies launched a search-and-rescue operation to secure the victims' release and apprehend the attackers.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said one of the abducted students had been rescued, while efforts were ongoing to free the remaining victims.

"The Command has deployed a combined team of police personnel and other security agencies to the area. One of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice," the police spokesperson said.

The police assured residents that security operatives are intensifying efforts to ensure the safe return of those still in captivity and urged members of the public to remain calm and provide useful information that could aid the ongoing operation.