Armed bandits have reportedly attacked Government Secondary School, Opada-Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc official and four students while examinations were in progress.
Locals say the attack occurred around 5:25 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2026, causing panic as the gunmen stormed the school premises during the ongoing examination.
A community leader, Sunday Alkali, said residents were relaxing outdoors when the armed men suddenly appeared.
He stated that the attackers briefly withdrew after noticing people in the area but later returned, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee.
According to residents, they only realised the school had been attacked after the gunfire stopped, discovering examination papers scattered across classrooms and the school compound, with no students or staff in sight.
The abducted victims were identified as the school principal, Nyada Daniel, NECO supervisor Solomon Audu and four students.Sources also disclosed that the kidnappers have contacted some relatives of the victims, demanding ransom for their release.
Reports say security operatives have since launched a joint search-and-rescue operation, with one of the abducted students reportedly rescued. Efforts are ongoing to free the remaining victims.
