Bandits storm Kogi school, abduct principal, NECO invigilator, others

Gunmen have abducted the principal of Government Secondary School, Opada-Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, a National Examinations Council (NECO) invigilator, and four students.

The attack occurred around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, while students were writing NECO examinations.

According to residents, the armed bandits stormed the community, firing sporadically into the air, causing people to flee in panic. They later invaded the school premises and seized their victims.

Community leader Sunday Alkali described the incident, “The gunmen seemed surprised to see many people outside at that time of the day and initially retreated. They later returned, shooting indiscriminately, forcing everyone to flee for safety.”

Residents said that after the shooting subsided, they discovered the school had been attacked. Examination papers were scattered across classrooms and the compound, with students and staff nowhere to be found.

The abducted victims have been identified as the school principal, Mr. Nyada Daniel; the NECO supervisor, Mr. Solomon Audu; and four students.

Sources noted that fewer students were present because the subject being examined at the time was Literature in English, unlike core subjects such as English Language and Mathematics, which attract larger numbers.

The kidnappers reportedly contacted relatives of the victims on Tuesday evening, demanding ransom.

“At least four families have received calls from the abductors demanding huge sums of money for the victims’ freedom,” Alkali said.

In response, the community mobilised soldiers, police officers, local vigilantes, and hunters to search the surrounding forests for the kidnappers and the abducted victims.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said a joint team of security operatives has launched a rescue operation and is currently trailing the assailants.

“So far, one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the safe release of the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” Afusat stated.

She added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, the Brigade Commander, and the State Security Adviser to the Governor were en route to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

The Kogi State Police Command said it would issue a detailed statement once more verified information is available.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​