Armed bandits on Wednesday invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three persons, including a vice principal and a six-year-old child.
The attack, which occurred around 10:00 a.m., threw the community into mourning and heightened concerns over insecurity in the area.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said a large number of armed men riding about 40 motorcycles stormed the school and surrounding community in what was suspected to be an attempt to abduct students and residents.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Afusat, the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately mobilised a joint security response involving police operatives, personnel of the Police Mobile Force, tactical teams, military officers and local vigilantes already stationed in the area.
The police said the combined security team engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding bush. Preliminary investigations, however, indicate that there is currently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or residents, although assessments are ongoing.
Those killed during the attack were identified as Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr Sunday Jacob Alhassan, 70; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele. The Command also disclosed that one of the attackers was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment.
The Commissioner of Police has ordered sustained bush-combing operations and confidence-building patrols across the affected area. The police urged residents to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information as efforts continue to apprehend the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.
