Gunmen have abducted a school principal, four students and a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc staff member during an attack on Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The incident occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday while students were taking part in the ongoing NECO examination, according to the Kogi State Police Command.

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Police spokesperson ASP Salisu Oyiza confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying security agencies had launched a joint search-and-rescue operation to locate the victims and arrest the attackers.

“During the incident, four students, the school principal and one NECO ad hoc staff member were abducted by the attackers,” Oyiza said.

She added that one of the abducted students had been rescued, while efforts were continuing to secure the safe release of the remaining victims.

The Abduction has raised fresh concerns over the safety of students and education workers, particularly as schools continue to operate during examination periods.

Oyiza said the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, alongside the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser to the governor, were heading to the scene for an assessment of the situation.

“A more detailed press release will be issued as soon as additional verified information becomes available,” she added.

The latest incident comes amid renewed security concerns in parts of Kogi State, following another reported attack involving suspected armed criminals earlier in July.

In that incident, police confirmed the abduction of occupants of a vehicle transporting the remains of a Federal Road Safety Corps official, Augustine Ikwue, along the Ochadamu-Ejule Expressway.

Police said the attackers intercepted the vehicle on July 9 and took some occupants into the bush before security teams recovered the abandoned vehicle and the casket, which was later deposited at Elemona Mortuary in Ejule.

According to the police, rescue operations involving security agencies, the military, vigilante groups and community policing members were ongoing to locate the victims and apprehend those responsible.