Gunmen Invade Kogi School During NECO Exam, Abduct Principal, Four Students

Armed gunmen on Tuesday invaded a secondary school in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, abducting the school principal, four students and a NECO ad hoc official.

The attack, which occurred at Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, also known as GSS Olowa, at about 5:25 p.m., threw the examination centre into panic as candidates and teachers scampered for safety.

Eyewitnesses said the heavily armed assailants stormed the school premises while the examination was in progress and whisked away the victims to an unknown destination before fleeing the scene.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said security operatives had launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving the police, military and other security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, disclosed that one of the abducted students had already been rescued, while efforts were ongoing to free the remaining captives and apprehend the perpetrators.

She said the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, alongside the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser, visited the school shortly after the incident to assess the situation and coordinate security operations.

According to the police spokesperson, additional security personnel have been deployed to the area as investigations continue.

“The Kogi State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has commenced an intensive operation to rescue the remaining victims unhurt and bring the perpetrators to justice,” she said.

The latest abduction has heightened concerns over the security of schools across Nigeria, particularly during national examinations, as students continue to face threats from criminal elements.

The incident comes amid renewed efforts by security agencies to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country. Education stakeholders and residents have called on the Federal Government and the Kogi State Government to strengthen security around schools to safeguard students, teachers and examination officials.

As of the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack, while authorities assured the public that every effort was being made to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

The attack adds to the growing list of security challenges confronting the nation’s education sector, where schools have increasingly become targets for kidnappers seeking ransom. Parents and community leaders have urged the government to adopt more proactive measures to prevent further attacks and restore confidence in the safety of educational institutions.

Gunmen Invade Kogi School During NECO Exam, Abduct Principal, Four Students

Police Nab Bandit Logistics Supplier, Recover 109 Ammunition Rounds in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a suspected bandit logistics supplier and recovered an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, an additional 79 rounds, suspected military uniforms, and other incriminating items in a swift operation at Rimaye Village, Bichi Local Government Area.

The suspect, identified as Mohammed Isah Haruna, 28, of Dan Dinshe Yamma Quarters in Dala Local Government Area, was arrested on Saturday, July 12, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m. following a credible tip-off from a vigilant resident who reported seeing a man dressed in a suspected military uniform at Rimaye Village in Bichi LGA.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed the development in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa. According to the statement, operatives from the Bichi Police Division, working in collaboration with members of the Rimawa community, swiftly responded to the tip-off and intercepted the suspect. During a search of his bag, police recovered one AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, an additional 79 rounds of AK-47 ammunition bringing the total to 109 rounds, two sets of suspected military uniforms, three military caps, a suspected fake military identity card, a National Identity Card, a National Identification Number (NIN) slip, a voter’s card, four Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, and a pair of desert boots.

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During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was in the area to deliver the recovered items to bandits operating in the bush. The police said the suspect remains in custody while a discreet investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network. The case will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Commissioner Bakori commended members of the Rimawa community for their vigilance and prompt report, describing the arrest as a testament to the effectiveness of community policing. “This arrest underscores the importance of community partnership in policing. We appreciate the Rimawa Community and all good people of Kano for their support. Security is a collective responsibility,” the commissioner said.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led and community-based policing across Kano State’s 44 local government areas in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu. It also urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at combating crime and enhancing public safety. In case of emergencies or to report suspicious activities, the command can be contacted via 08032419755, 08123821575, or 09029292926.

Police Nab Bandit Logistics Supplier, Recover 109 Ammunition Rounds in Kano

Lagos Police Bust N1.02bn Vehicle Fraud Syndicate, Recover Exotic Vehicles

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a sophisticated vehicle fraud syndicate accused of defrauding automobile dealers of exotic vehicles worth over N1.02 billion through deception, dud and post-dated cheques. Detectives have recovered several luxury vehicles and launched a manhunt for the alleged ringleader, Otunba Olamilekan Ismail, who is currently at large.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, disclosed the development on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja on recent breakthroughs recorded by the command. According to him, detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, harmonised three separate complaints initially reported independently by different victims after discovering striking similarities in the suspects’ operational methods. The harmonised investigations revealed a coordinated criminal network specialising in conspiracy, obtaining goods under false pretences, fraudulent conversion, stealing, and the issuance of dud cheques.

Investigations established that the syndicate targeted reputable vehicle dealers by falsely claiming they were purchasing vehicles on behalf of influential clients or for prominent politicians in Abuja. The suspects allegedly issued post-dated or dud cheques as payment before quickly transferring the vehicles to third parties and concealing the identities of the masterminds through intermediaries. The fraud involved vehicles valued at more than N1.02 billion, including seven luxury vehicles worth about N700 million and 10 Toyota Hiace buses valued at N320 million. Investigators also linked the syndicate to another 12 exotic vehicles allegedly obtained through similar means from different dealers.

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In the first case, a suspect identified as Muritala confessed to obtaining vehicles under the false promise that payment would be made after their disposal. During interrogation, he implicated Fatai Balogun, popularly known as “Eleku,” who was already under investigation for a similar offence. Balogun later admitted his involvement and told investigators that the vehicles had been delivered to Otunba Olamilekan Ismail, also known as Otunba Jaji, who is currently at large. Balogun claimed Olamilekan promised him a 30 per cent commission from the proceeds of the vehicles.

Using intelligence-led operations and the AUTOREG vehicle tracking platform, detectives recovered several vehicles linked to the syndicate. The recovered vehicles include a 2010 Toyota RAV4, a 2007 Toyota Highlander, a 2017 Toyota Highlander, a 2020 Toyota Hiace bus, a 2018 Ford Edge SUV, and two 2016 Toyota Hiace buses.

In the second case, three complainants accused Balogun, Ismail Olamilekan, and others of conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, issuing dud cheques, and stealing. The suspects fraudulently obtained seven vehicles worth about N700 million after falsely claiming they were supplying them to prominent politicians in Abuja. Payment was made with post-dated cheques, all of which were dishonoured when presented at the bank. The principal suspect admitted selling the vehicles to different buyers.

In the third case, Balogun, Bashiru Babatunde, and others allegedly fraudulently acquired 10 Toyota Hiace buses valued at N320 million after claiming they were acting on behalf of one Alhaji Ismaila and another suspect identified simply as Segun, both of whom remain at large. The cheque issued in payment was returned due to insufficient funds. Detectives recovered eight of the buses, although they had sustained damage, while two buses valued at N56.5 million are still missing.

One of the suspects, a 68-year-old man, denied knowing the vehicles were fraudulently obtained, claiming his role was limited to introducing buyers for a 30 per cent commission. The police said the suspects remain in custody while investigations continue to identify and arrest other members of the criminal network. All cases will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Commissioner Fatai commended the detectives for their thorough work and advised vehicle dealers to exercise due diligence before releasing vehicles, especially where transactions involve post-dated cheques or unknown agents. “The success of this investigation underscores our commitment to dismantling organised criminal syndicates operating within and beyond Lagos State. All suspects connected with these cases will be apprehended and prosecuted,” he said.

Lagos Police Bust N1.02bn Vehicle Fraud Syndicate, Recover Exotic Vehicles