Bandits have attacked Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three people, including a vice principal, and abducting students during the invasion.
Residents said the incident occurred around 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, when armed men stormed the school community.
The attackers were reportedly targeting students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), which was ongoing at the time.
“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 resident said.
“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 added.
The Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the incident, describing it as “unfortunate, barbaric, and unacceptable.”
He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured residents that efforts were underway to apprehend the attackers.
“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.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command confirmed the attack, stating that three persons were killed during the invasion: Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70; and a six-year-old boy, Sunday Ayele.
According to the police, about 40 armed men on motorcycles stormed the school with the intent of abducting students and residents.
“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 statement read.
