Suspected gunmen on Tuesday disrupted the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior Secondary Certificate Examination in Kogi State, abducting a school principal, a NECO ad hoc official and four candidates after invading Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area.
The attack, which occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on July 14, threw the school community into confusion as students were in the middle of writing their examination.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Salisu Oyiza, said security agencies had immediately launched a coordinated operation to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
According to the statement, “During the incident, four students, the school principal and one NECO ad hoc staff member were abducted by the attackers.”
The police disclosed that a combined team comprising officers of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies swung into action shortly after the attack was reported.
Providing an update on the rescue efforts, Oyiza said, “A combined team of the police and other security agencies immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation and is currently on the trail of the assailants. So far, one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.”
She also revealed that senior security officials were heading to the community to assess the situation firsthand and coordinate ongoing operations.
According to her, “The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Naziru Kankarofi, the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State were on their way to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.”
The command assured residents that further information would be provided as investigations and rescue efforts progress.
Oyiza added, “A more detailed press release will be issued as soon as additional verified information becomes available.”
The latest incident has heightened concerns over the safety of candidates and education workers, particularly as public examinations continue in several parts of the country amid persistent security challenges. Authorities say efforts remain focused on ensuring the safe return of the remaining abductees while intensifying the manhunt for the attackers.
(Ripples)