Gunmen on Tuesday attacked Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting four students, the school principal and a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc official while candidates were writing their Senior School Certificate Examination.

The attack reportedly occurred at about 5:25 p.m., throwing the school into panic as the assailants stormed the premises and whisked away the victims.

Police said one of the abducted students was later rescued during efforts by security operatives to respond to the incident.

Confirming the attack, the Kogi State Police Command said tactical teams, local vigilantes and hunters had been deployed to the area to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the remaining victims.

The latest attack has heightened concerns over the safety of schools in Kogi State, coming weeks after another violent assault on a secondary school in the state claimed the lives of a vice principal and two others during an attempted abduction.

Residents have called on security agencies to strengthen surveillance around schools, particularly during national examinations, to protect students, teachers and examination officials from recurring attacks.