Gunmen have abducted a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official, and four students during the ongoing NECO examination in Kogi State.
The attack occurred on Tuesday at about 5:25 p.m. when armed men stormed Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of the state while candidates were writing their examination.
According to the Kogi State Police Command, the victims include the school principal, a NECO ad hoc official, and four students who were sitting for the examination when the attackers invaded the school. The incident reportedly threw the school and surrounding community into panic.
The Kogi State Government identified some of the abducted persons as the school principal, Elder Daniel Iyanaa, and the NECO official, Mr. Solomon Audu. Two female NECO candidates were also among those abducted.
Police authorities said one of the abducted students has since been rescued, while a coordinated search-and-rescue operation is ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has ordered a massive security operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), local vigilantes, and hunters to ensure the safe rescue of those still in captivity and apprehend the kidnappers.
The latest incident has heightened concerns over the security of schools and examination centres in parts of Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where attacks by armed gangs have become increasingly frequent.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies said efforts were continuing to rescue the remaining victims and restore calm to the affected community.
