Gunmen have abducted the principal of a secondary school and four students who were sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination in Kogi State, in an incident that has renewed concerns about the safety of schools in parts of Nigeria.
The attack reportedly occurred while the examination was in progress. Witnesses said the armed men entered the school, causing panic among students and staff before taking the principal and four candidates away. The gunmen fled the scene before security personnel arrived.
Security agencies have launched a search for the victims and are working to identify those behind the attack. As of the latest reports, officials have not announced any arrests or confirmed whether the abductors have made contact with the victims’ families.
The incident has left parents and residents worried, coming at a time when thousands of students across Nigeria are writing the 2025 NECO examinations. Many fear the attack could affect students’ sense of safety and disrupt academic activities in the affected community.
NECO is one of Nigeria’s national examination bodies responsible for conducting the Senior School Certificate Examination. The examination is a major milestone for final-year secondary school students, as the results are required for admission into universities, colleges and other higher institutions.
Kidnapping has remained a persistent security challenge in several parts of the country, with schools occasionally becoming targets for armed groups. Although authorities have stepped up security measures in recent years, attacks on educational institutions continue to raise concerns among education stakeholders.
Education advocates and community leaders have repeatedly called for stronger security around schools, especially during national examinations. They argue that students should be able to sit for important examinations without fear and that protecting schools must remain a priority.
Authorities say efforts to rescue the principal and the four students are ongoing, while investigations into the incident continue. The abduction has once again highlighted the security challenges facing some communities and the need for sustained measures to keep schools safe for both students and teachers.
