- Armed bandits invaded a secondary school in Kogi State during an ongoing NECO examination, abducting the principal, a supervisor and four students before fleeing the scene.
- The police have confirmed the incident, rescued one student and launched a joint operation to secure the release of the remaining victims.
Suspected bandits have abducted the principal of Government Secondary School, Opada-Olowa, a NECO supervisor, and four students after invading the school in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State during an ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination.
The attack reportedly occurred at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday while candidates were writing their examination. According to residents, the armed assailants stormed the community, shooting sporadically before forcing their way into the school.
A community leader, Sunday Alkali, said the attackers initially retreated after noticing many residents outside but later returned, firing indiscriminately and causing panic. After the gunfire subsided, residents discovered that the school had been attacked, with examination papers scattered across classrooms and the school premises.
The abducted victims were identified as the school principal, Nyada Daniel, NECO supervisor Solomon Audu, and four students. Residents said the number of abducted students could have been higher if more candidates had been present during the examination.
The kidnappers have reportedly contacted some of the victims’ families, demanding large ransom payments for their release.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said the principal, a NECO ad hoc staff member and four students were abducted while the examination was ongoing.
Police spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, disclosed that a joint team of security agencies immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation.
She added that one of the abducted students has since been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and arrest those responsible.
