By Ado Oyeyemi
Gunmen have abducted the principal of Government Secondary School, Odo Ekina, a National Examinations Council ad hoc official and four students during the ongoing NECO examination in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Salisu Oyiza.
According to the police, the attack occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday while candidates were writing their examination.
The armed assailants reportedly invaded the school and whisked away the principal, the examination official and four students.
The command disclosed that security operatives, comprising the police and other agencies, immediately launched a coordinated search and rescue operation after receiving information about the attack.
The police said one of the abducted students has since been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
ASP Oyiza stated that the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Kankarofi, alongside the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser, had proceeded to the scene to carry out an on the spot assessment of the situation.
She added that the command would provide additional information as investigations and rescue efforts progress.
Meanwhile, the police also gave an update on an earlier abduction involving a corpse being transported for burial along the Ochadamu Ejule Expressway.
According to the command, the incident occurred on July 9 when armed men attacked a commercial bus conveying the remains of Augustine Ikwue, a Federal Road Safety Corps official, from Lokoja to Otukpo in Benue State for burial.
The attackers reportedly abducted the occupants of the vehicle and fled into the bush.
The police said a joint team comprising officers, military personnel, members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and community policing volunteers swiftly mobilised to the area and commenced rescue operations.
During the operation, the abandoned vehicle and the casket containing the deceased were recovered, while the remains were deposited at the Elemona Mortuary in Ejule.
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The command assured residents that efforts were continuing to rescue the abducted passengers and track down the perpetrators of the attack.
