Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Gunmen on Tuesday invaded Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the school principal, four students and a National Examinations Council ad hoc staff member during the ongoing NECO examination, in an attack that has once again exposed the vulnerability of educational institutions in Nigeria's North-Central region. The assailants struck at approximately 5:25 p.m. on July 14, 2026, while candidates were writing their NECO papers, causing panic among students and staff before fleeing with six victims to an unknown destination, according to reports by counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama and confirmations from the Kogi State Police Command. The attack occurred just over a month after a similar incident in June 2026, when armed bandits disguised in military uniforms invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area during a WAEC examination, killing the vice principal and attempting a mass abduction of students.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident, with spokesperson ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat stating that one of the abducted students had been rescued while efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend the attackers. Security sources told Zagazola Makama that a combined team of security forces immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation and began tracking the kidnappers. Extensive bush-combing operations, intelligence gathering and surveillance have been deployed across communities surrounding the school to locate the kidnappers' hideout and ensure the safe rescue of those still in captivity. Authorities said operations were continuing to apprehend the perpetrators and restore normalcy, while investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, alongside the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser to the Governor, Commodore Jerry Omodara (Rtd), were already en route to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment, according to the police command. The police said a more detailed statement would be issued as additional verified information becomes available. The attack has heightened fears among parents and students in Dekina and surrounding areas, with many questioning the safety of schools amid ongoing insecurity. Dekina Local Government has been a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping in recent years, with armed groups frequently targeting rural communities, schools and travellers along major highways. The abduction of students during examination periods has become a recurring nightmare, disrupting academic calendars and exposing children to traumatic ordeals that can last for weeks or months.
This latest incident comes just over a month after a similar attack in June 2026, when armed bandits disguised in military uniforms invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area during a WAEC examination, killing the vice principal, Mr. Gani Anifowose, and attempting a mass abduction of students. In that attack, local security personnel and vigilantes actively resisted the attackers and frustrated the abduction attempt, though three people lost their lives. The recurring nature of such attacks has prompted calls from civil society organisations and opposition figures for urgent government action to secure schools and protect students. Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, described the June attack as a "direct assault on Nigeria's future" and condemned the escalating insecurity in Kogi State.
The abduction of the principal, four students and a NECO ad hoc official from Government Secondary School, Olowa, represents a significant escalation in the targeting of educational institutions in Kogi State. Unlike the June incident where a mass abduction was thwarted, Tuesday's attackers succeeded in taking multiple hostages and have already received a ransom payment, according to unconfirmed sources. The abductors have reportedly demanded a ransom for the release of the remaining captives, though the exact amount has not been disclosed. Security forces have been working to track the kidnappers' movements and have intensified bush-combing operations, intelligence gathering and surveillance across communities surrounding the school. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
The attack has also raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures at schools and the ability of authorities to protect students during critical examination periods. The NECO examination, which is currently ongoing across the country, has been disrupted in Dekina Local Government Area, with the affected school now closed indefinitely. Parents of the abducted students have been left in anguish, waiting for news of their children's fate while security forces work to secure their release. The Kogi State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the attack, but Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is reportedly being briefed on the situation. The governor had previously condemned the June attack on Iluke school and called for increased security presence in schools across the state.
The abduction comes at a time when Kogi State is already grappling with a wave of insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping and communal clashes. The state shares borders with several troubled states, including Niger, Nasarawa, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory, making it a transit route for criminal elements. The Dekina axis, in particular, has seen a surge in attacks in recent months, with armed groups targeting communities, kidnapping residents and demanding ransom. The government has deployed additional security personnel to the area, but the attacks have continued unabated, raising questions about the effectiveness of the security response. As the search for the abducted principal, students and NECO official continues, the people of Dekina and the wider Kogi State remain on edge, praying for the safe return of their loved ones and hoping that the government will take decisive action to end the cycle of violence that has plagued their communities.
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