Security operatives have rescued all the victims abducted during an attack on Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State while the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination was in progress.
The victims, including students, the school principal and a NECO ad hoc official, were freed during a coordinated operation involving the military, police, the Department of State Services, local vigilantes and hunters, authorities said.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, announced the development on Thursday, describing the rescue as a major success for security agencies.
"The victims have all been rescued safely through the sustained efforts of our security operatives," Fanwo said.
He added that Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo had directed security agencies to ensure the safe return of every victim and bring those behind the attack to justice.
The students, principal and NECO official were kidnapped on Tuesday when gunmen invaded the school at about 5:25 p.m. while candidates were writing the ongoing NECO examination.
Police had earlier confirmed that four students, the principal and a NECO official were taken away, while one student was rescued shortly after the attack.
The incident sparked widespread concern because it came barely a month after another attack on a school in Kogi and days after the state launched a joint security operation with Benue State to curb cross-border crimes.
Authorities have not disclosed whether any ransom was paid. They said efforts are continuing to track down the kidnappers and warned that anyone linked to the illegal use of the abandoned school as a NECO examination centre, or involved in examination malpractice, would face prosecution.
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