Armed bandits have attacked Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three people, including the Vice Principal, Mr. Gani Anifowose, and two others, while reportedly abducting some students.
Residents of the community said the incident occurred at about 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday.
The attackers were reportedly targeting candidates writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
“The major target of the attack was UBE Iluke Bunu, where students from three communities were sitting for their WAEC examination at the time of the invasion.”
“The Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Aharha-Bunu,Mr. Gani Anifowose, was killed alongside two other persons. Three students and several residents were abducted in the attack,” the source said.
The Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the attack, describing the incident “as unfortunate, barbaric, and unacceptable”.
The chairman extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and assured residents that efforts were underway to track down and apprehend those responsible.
He reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in all communities under its jurisdiction.
“The Local Government Administration is working closely with relevant security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that lasting measures are put in place to forestall any recurrence of such attacks,” he said.
The Kogi State Police Command also confirmed the attack in a statement, noting that three people were killed during the incident: Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70 years; and Sunday Ayele, aged 6 years.
“At about 10:00 a.m., the Command received distress information that a large number of heavily armed bandits, operating on about forty (40) motorcycles, had invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, with the suspected intention of abducting students and other residents of the community.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Kabba ‘A’ Division, immediately activated a coordinated security response by mobilizing personnel from the Division, alongside operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the Command’s Tactical Teams.
“Other security personnel already deployed in the area, including military personnel and local vigilante groups, were equally alerted and joined the operation.
“The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush”, the command said in a statement signed by ASP Saliu Oyiza, the police command’s spokesperson.
However, police authorities stated that preliminary investigations had not established any conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents.
“Investigations and ongoing assessments are continuing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” statement read.
Meanwhile, the police disclosed that “during the exchange of gunfire, one of the bandits was neutralized, while a security operatives attached to the joint team sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment”.
Police further stated that joint security operatives comprising the police, military personnel, and local vigilantes were carrying out intensive operations aimed at arresting the fleeing suspects and preventing any further threat to lives and property.
