Gunmen have attacked Government Secondary School in Odo-Ekina, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the school principal, four students, and a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc staff member.
The attack occurred on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at about 5:25 p.m. while the students were writing their ongoing NECO examinations.
According to reports, the gunmen stormed the school premises, causing panic among students and staff before forcefully taking away the victims to an unknown location.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident through its Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat. She stated that security operatives, including a combined team of police and other agencies, immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation to track the attackers and rescue the abducted persons.
Police confirmed that one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Security sources say the joint operation is still active, with operatives combing the area in a bid to locate the gunmen and free the captives.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of schools in parts of the country, especially during examination periods.
Parents and residents of the area have expressed anxiety over the safety of the remaining victims, while calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue them unharmed.
This latest attack comes at a time when several states in Nigeria continue to grapple with cases of banditry and kidnapping, particularly in schools and rural communities.
The Kogi State government has not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of this report.
Security agencies have assured the public that they are working round the clock to ensure the safe return of the abducted persons.
