JUST-IN: Gunmen storm Kogi school, abduct NECO candidates, principal, ad hoc staff

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a school principal, one NECO ad hoc staff member and four students writing the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination at Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.

The attack occurred at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, while candidates were sitting for the examination.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Wednesday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Salisu Oyiza, said the gunmen invaded the school and abducted six persons.

“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,” the statement read.

Oyiza disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Kankarofi, the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser to the Governor had proceeded to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

She added that the Command would issue a more detailed statement as additional verified information becomes available.

Meanwhile, the incident comes days after another security breach in the state involving suspected bandits.

The police had earlier confirmed the abduction of passengers travelling with the corpse of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) official, Augustine Ikwue, along the Ochadamu-Ejule Expressway while conveying his remains from Lokoja to Otukpo, Benue State, for burial.

According to the police, the abandoned vehicle and casket were recovered, while the corpse was deposited at the Elemona Mortuary in Ejule.

Security operatives, including the military, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and community policing personnel, are continuing rescue operations to secure the release of the remaining victims in both incidents and apprehend those responsible.

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