Gunmen on Tuesday evening stormed Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting four students, the school principal and a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc staff member while candidates were writing their examination.
The attack, according to the Kogi State Police Command, occurred at about 5:25 p.m., disrupting the ongoing NECO examination and throwing the school community into panic.
Security sources disclosed that the assailants invaded the school premises during the examination before whisking away the victims to an unknown destination.
Following the incident, a combined team of police personnel and other security agencies immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation aimed at locating the abductors and securing the safe release of those taken away.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said security operatives had already recorded a breakthrough in the operation with the rescue of one of the abducted students.
She disclosed that efforts have been intensified to rescue the remaining victims and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
According to the police spokesperson, tactical teams are combing the surrounding forests and neighbouring communities as part of the ongoing operation.
Afusat also revealed that the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, had mobilised to the area alongside other senior security officials for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
She said the police commissioner was accompanied by the Brigade Commander and the Kogi State Security Adviser to the Governor, Commodore Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to evaluate the security situation and coordinate the response.
The visit, she explained, is intended to strengthen operational strategies and ensure that every available resource is deployed to rescue the remaining victims without delay.
The police assured residents that all security agencies are working together to ensure that the perpetrators are tracked down and prosecuted.
Authorities also appealed to members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives by providing credible information that could assist the rescue mission.
The command said it would continue to keep the public informed as the operation progresses.
The police further stated that a comprehensive statement containing additional verified details would be issued once investigations advance and more information becomes available.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over attacks on schools and educational institutions in parts of the country, particularly during national examination periods.
Security agencies have repeatedly assured Nigerians that efforts are being intensified to improve the safety of schools and protect students, teachers and examination officials from criminal attacks.
