Gunmen have abducted the principal of Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, one NECO ad hoc official and four students during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The attack occurred around 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, while candidates were writing their examination. The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that security operatives immediately launched a joint search-and-rescue operation. One of the abducted students has since been rescued, while efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining victims and arrest the attackers.
Police spokesperson, ASP Salisu Oyiza, said the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, alongside the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment, adding that a detailed update would be released as more verified information becomes available.
Meanwhile, the police also confirmed a separate incident in which suspected bandits attacked a vehicle transporting the corpse of Federal Road Safety Corps official, Augustine Ikwue, from Lokoja to Benue State for burial. The attackers abducted the occupants along the Ochadamu-Ejule Expressway on July 9.
According to the police, a joint security team recovered the abandoned vehicle and the casket, which has been deposited at the Elemona Mortuary in Ejule. Rescue efforts are ongoing to free the abducted passengers and bring those responsible to justice.