It should have been a standard, quiet evening for students writing their National Examinations Council (NECO) papers. Instead, Tuesday turned into a nightmare for the community of Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, as heavily armed gunmen invaded a local secondary school, leaving panic and heartbreak in their wake.

Chaos at Government Secondary School

At approximately 5:25 PM, assailants stormed Government Secondary School, Olowa, firing their weapons sporadically to instill fear and scatter the community.

According to Sunday Alkali, a local community leader, the gunmen initially hesitated and retreated when they saw a large number of residents relaxing outdoors. Unfortunately, the relief was short-lived as they returned shortly after.

"They later returned, shooting indiscriminately, forcing everyone to flee for safety," Alkali recounted.

It wasn't until the gunfire subsided that residents realized the true target wasn't the town itself, but the school. Upon rushing to the premises, community members found a chilling scene: empty classrooms with NECO examination papers scattered across the floor, and no sign of the staff or students.

The Victims: Who Was Taken?

The attack interrupted the ongoing Literature in English examination. While any abduction is an absolute tragedy, locals noted a grim silver lining: the number of victims could have been catastrophically higher had the attackers struck during a compulsory subject like Mathematics or English Language, which draw the entire student body.

Currently, six individuals have been confirmed abducted:

  • Nyada Daniel (School Principal)

  • Solomon Audu (NECO Examination Supervisor)

  • Four Students (Names currently withheld for safety and privacy)

Ransom Demands and Rescue Operations

The ordeal has swiftly moved into a tense and terrifying waiting game. By Tuesday evening, the kidnappers had already established contact with the relatives of the victims. They are reportedly demanding huge, undisclosed sums of money for their safe return.

In response to the brazen attack, a massive joint security operation is now underway. A combined task force has been deployed to the area, featuring:

  • The Nigerian Army

  • The Nigerian Police Force

  • Local Vigilante Groups

  • Community Hunters

This coalition is currently combing the dense surrounding forests in a desperate bid to locate the kidnappers' hideout and rescue the principal, supervisor, and students unharmed.

Our thoughts are with the abducted individuals and their families during this harrowing time. We will continue to monitor the situation as security forces intensify their search.