Armed men invade Kogi school, kidnap the principal, a NECO official and four candidates during the exam

Gunmen on Tuesday invaded Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of ​​Kogi State, abducting the school principal, an ad hoc officer of the National Examinations Council and four students who were sitting for the ongoing Senior Secondary School Certificate examination.

PLATFORM TIMES reported that the attack occurred at around 5.25pm ​​while candidates were writing one of the NECO exam papers, throwing the school into panic and forcing the exam to come to an abrupt halt.

The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident on Wednesday, describing it as a targeted kidnapping.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Salisu Oyiza, said the gunmen took away the principal, the NECO official and four candidates before security operatives arrived at the scene.

He revealed that a combined team of police officers and other security agencies immediately launched a search and rescue operation.

According to her, one of the abducted students was later rescued, while efforts are underway to secure the release of the remaining victims and capture the attackers.

“During the incident, four students, the school principal and a NECO ad hoc staff member were kidnapped by the attackers.

“A combined team of police and other security agencies immediately launched a search and rescue operation and is currently on the trail of the attackers. So far, one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are underway to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and arrest the perpetrators,” he said.

Oyiza added that the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, together with the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser, visited the school for an on-site assessment of the situation.

He said a detailed update will be published as the investigation progresses and more verified information becomes available.

The latest attack has heightened concerns about the safety of schools and candidates taking public exams, particularly in communities vulnerable to criminal attacks.

Meanwhile, the police also provided an update on another recent security incident in the state involving the kidnapping of passengers traveling with the dead body of a Federal Road Safety Corps official.

According to the command, suspected gunmen attacked a Hummer bus carrying the remains of Augustine Ikwue from Lokoja to Otukpo, Benue State for burial along the Ochadamu-Ejule Highway on July 9.

Oyiza said the attackers kidnapped the occupants after forcing the vehicle to stop.

She, however, disclosed that security operatives, working with the military, Nigeria Vigilante Group and community policing personnel, recovered the abandoned vehicle and the coffin containing the body of the deceased, which has since been deposited at Elemona Mortuary in Ejule.

He added that efforts were underway to rescue the abducted passengers and bring the culprits to justice.

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