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 reportedly abducting some students during an attack that disrupted the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
News Point Nigeria reports that the residents said the attack occurred at about 9:45 am and was targeted at students sitting for the examination.
According to community sources, the assailants specifically targeted the Universal Basic Education (UBE) school in Iluke Bunu, where candidates from three different communities had converged to write their WAEC papers.
“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,” a source said.
The source further disclosed that the Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Aharha-Bunu, Mr. Gani Anifowose, was killed alongside two other persons, while three students and several residents were allegedly abducted during the attack.
The Kogi State Police Command later confirmed the deaths of three individuals in the invasion. The victims 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.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza, said the command received a distress call at about 10:00 a.m. reporting that a large group of heavily armed bandits riding on about 40 motorcycles had invaded the school and surrounding community.
“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,” the statement said.
The police said the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately mobilised personnel, including operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the Command’s Tactical Teams, to the scene.
Other security forces already deployed in the area, including military personnel and local vigilante groups, were also alerted and joined the operation.
According to the command, the combined security team engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding bush.
“The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush,” the statement added.
The police, however, noted that preliminary investigations had yet to establish any conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or residents.
“Investigations and ongoing assessments are continuing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” the command stated.
The police further revealed that one of the bandits was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
Security operatives comprising the police, military personnel and local vigilantes have since launched intensive operations to track down and apprehend the fleeing attackers, while also preventing further threats to lives and property in the area.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the attack, describing it as “unfortunate, barbaric and unacceptable.”
He extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured residents that efforts were underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The chairman also reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across all communities within the area.
“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.