The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a school principal, a NECO ad hoc staff member, and four students at Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in the state’s Dekina Local Government Area.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, when attackers stormed the school while the pupils were writing their ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Salisu Oyiza, said, “During the incident, four students, the school principal and one NECO ad hoc staff member were abducted by the attackers.
“A combined team of the police and other security agencies immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation and is currently on the trail of the assailants. So far, one of the abducted students has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.”
According to her, Kogi State Police Commissioner Naziru Kankarofi, the Brigade Commander, and the Governor’s State Security Adviser were already en route to the location to conduct an on-the-spot assessment.
“A more detailed press release will be issued as soon as additional verified information becomes available,” she added.
In a related incident, The PUNCH reported on Tuesday that the Command had confirmed suspected bandits abducted a corpse.
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Backstory…
The latest abduction underscores the growing threat posed by armed gangs targeting schools across Nigeria despite repeated government assurances that educational institutions are now better protected under the Safe Schools Initiative.
Since the abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, in 2014, dozens of mass kidnappings have occurred in states including Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto, with students and teachers frequently seized for ransom.
Although security agencies have rescued many victims in recent years, attacks on schools continue to expose gaps in security, particularly in rural communities.
The incident also comes barely days after the rescue of the principal and pupils of an Islamic High School in Oyo State following weeks in captivity.
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