Gunmen storm Kogi school during NECO, abduct principal, students
Quick Read
“During the incident, four students, the school principal and one NECO ad hoc staff member were abducted by the attackers,” Oyiza said.
Gunmen have attacked Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the principal, a National Examinations Council ad hoc official and four students sitting the ongoing NECO examination.
The attack occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday while the students were writing their examination, the Kogi State Police Command confirmed on Wednesday.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Salisu Oyiza, said one of the abducted students had been rescued, leaving the principal, the NECO official and three students still being sought by security forces.
“During the incident, four students, the school principal and one NECO ad hoc staff member were abducted by the attackers,” 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.”
Oyiza said efforts were continuing to rescue the remaining five victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Kankarofi, the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser were reportedly heading to the school for an on-the-spot assessment.
Police said further details would be released as soon as more verified information became available.
The school attack came days after gunmen struck a Hummer bus transporting the remains of a Federal Road Safety Corps official, Augustine Ikwue, from Lokoja to Otukpo in Benue State for burial.
Police said armed men attacked the vehicle along the Ochadamu-Ejule Expressway on July 9 and forced its occupants into the bush.
Security personnel comprising police officers, soldiers, members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and community policing operatives subsequently launched a rescue operation.
The abandoned bus and casket were recovered, while the remains were deposited at the Elemona Mortuary in Ejule.
Police said efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted passengers and arrest their captors.
Comments