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

The incident occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday while candidates were writing the examination, the Kogi State Police Command said on Wednesday.

The command's spokesperson, ASP Salisu Oyiza, disclosed in a statement that the armed men invaded the school and whisked away the victims.

She said security operatives had launched a coordinated rescue operation involving the police and other security agencies, leading to the rescue of one of the abducted students.

According to her, efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend those behind the attack.

Oyiza added that the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, accompanied by the Brigade Commander and the Kogi State Security Adviser, visited the affected community to assess the situation and coordinate security operations.

She said the command would provide further updates as investigations progressed and more verified information became available.

Meanwhile, the police also confirmed the recovery of the corpse earlier seized by suspected bandits during an attack along the Ochadamu-Ejule Expressway.

The deceased, Augustine Ikwue, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps, died in Lokoja and was being conveyed to Otukpo, Benue State, for burial when gunmen attacked the vehicle on July 9 and abducted its occupants.

Oyiza said a joint security operation involving the police, the military, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and community policing personnel recovered the abandoned vehicle and the casket, which has been deposited at the Elemona Mortuary in Ejule.

She added that efforts were continuing to rescue the kidnapped passengers and ensure those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.