Armed gunmen have abducted the principal of Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc official and four students after attacking the school while candidates were writing the ongoing NECO Senior School Certificate Examination in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. The attack occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, throwing the school into panic.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed that the assailants kidnapped six people—the school principal, the NECO official and four students. A joint security team comprising the Police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation. Authorities have since rescued one of the abducted students, while efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining five captives and apprehend the attackers.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has ordered an intensified multi-agency operation across the surrounding forests to rescue the victims and bring those responsible to justice. The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of schools and examination centers in areas facing persistent security threats, with education stakeholders calling for stronger protection for students, teachers and examination officials.
