NECO Exam Attack: Gunmen Abduct Kogi School Principal, Supervisor, Four Students as Rescue Operation Begins

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

The incident occurred at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, while students were sitting for the ongoing NECO examination, PulseNets learnt.

Residents told PulseNets that the armed men invaded the community, firing several gunshots into the air and causing panic as people fled for safety. The attackers later forced their way into the school and abducted the victims.

Speaking on the incident, a community leader, Sunday Alkali, said:

“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.”

According to information obtained by PulseNets, residents returned after the gunfire subsided and discovered that the school had been attacked. Examination papers were found scattered across classrooms and within the school compound, while several students and staff members were missing.

PulseNets learnt that those abducted include the school principal, Mr. Nyada Daniel; the NECO supervisor, Mr. Solomon Audu; and four students.

Sources familiar with the incident told PulseNets that the number of students at the examination centre was relatively low because the paper being written was Literature in English, unlike compulsory subjects such as English Language and Mathematics, which usually record higher attendance.

The kidnappers reportedly established contact with some of the victims’ families on Tuesday evening and demanded ransom for their release.

Confirming the development, Alkali said:

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

Following the attack, the community mobilised security personnel, including soldiers, police officers, local vigilantes, and hunters, who commenced a search operation across nearby forests in an effort to rescue the victims.

The Kogi State Police Command also confirmed the incident.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, told PulseNets that a joint security team has launched a rescue operation and is actively trailing the kidnappers.

“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.

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She further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, alongside the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser to the Governor, were on their way to the community to carry out an on the spot assessment of the situation.

The police spokesperson added that the Kogi State Police Command would issue a comprehensive statement after more verified details become available.