Security operatives have rescued the principal of Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc official and two students abducted during an attack on the school in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The victims regained their freedom on Thursday following a coordinated rescue operation launched by security agencies on the directive of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo shortly after the abduction.

Confirming the development, the Kogi State Government said sustained pressure mounted on the kidnappers by security operatives forced the criminals to abandon the victims and flee.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the rescued victims were safe and had been taken into the custody of security agencies for debriefing and medical examination.

"We can confirm that the school principal, the NECO official and the two students have all been rescued safely. They are hale and hearty and are currently with security agencies for debriefing and necessary medical checks," he said.

Fanwo disclosed that Governor Ododo had immediately directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd.), to coordinate a joint rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), local vigilantes and other security agencies.

He commended the security personnel for their professionalism and courage, describing the successful operation as another demonstration of effective inter-agency collaboration against criminality in the state.

The state government also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for directing security agencies to provide every necessary support to secure the victims' release.

The principal, a NECO official and four students were abducted on Tuesday when gunmen invaded the school while candidates were writing the ongoing NECO Senior School Certificate Examination.

One of the students was rescued shortly after the attack, while the remaining victims have now regained their freedom following the security operation.