Armed men on Tuesday evening stormed Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State and abducted the school principal, four students and a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc official while candidates were sitting for their NECO examination.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat.
According to the statement, the attack occurred at about 5:25 p.m., prompting an immediate response from security agencies.
The police said a joint team of security operatives launched a search-and-rescue mission shortly after the incident and has since been combing the area in pursuit of the kidnappers.
ASP Afusat disclosed that one of the abducted students has already been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the freedom of the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
She also revealed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, accompanied by the Brigade Commander and the Kogi State Security Adviser to the Governor, was heading to the community to assess the situation firsthand.
The police command reassured residents of its commitment to the safe return of the victims and urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
It added that more details would be made available as investigations continue and further facts surrounding the attack are verified.