Gunmen stormed a Kogi school, kidnapping the principal, NECO officials and students during exams

Suspected gunmen on Tuesday disrupted the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in Kogi State, kidnapping a school principal, a NECO ad hoc official and four candidates after storming the Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area.

The attack, which occurred at around 5.25pm ​​on July 14, left the school community confused as students were writing their exams.

Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday, Kogi State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Salisu Oyiza, said security agencies immediately launched a coordinated operation to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible.

According to the statement, “In the incident, four students, the principal and one NECO ad hoc staff member were kidnapped by the assailants.”

Police revealed that a joint team consisting of officers of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies swung into action shortly after the attack was reported.

Providing an update on the rescue efforts, Oyiza said, “A joint team of police and other security agencies immediately launched a search and rescue operation and are currently pursuing the attackers. So far, one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the rescue of the remaining victims and arrest the perpetrators.”

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He also revealed that senior security officials were heading to the community to assess the situation directly and coordinate the ongoing operations.

According to him, “The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Naziru Kankarofi, Brigade Commander and State Security Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State are on their way to the scene to conduct an on-site assessment.”

The command assured residents that further information will be provided as the investigation and rescue efforts progress.

Oyiza added, “A more detailed press release will be issued as soon as additional verified information becomes available.”

This latest incident has raised concerns over the safety of candidates and education workers, especially as public exams continue to be conducted in several regions of the country amid persistent security challenges. Authorities said efforts remained focused on ensuring the safe return of the abductees while intensifying the manhunt for the attackers.