Armed bandits on Wednesday invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing a vice principal, a six-year-old child and another resident during a failed kidnap attempt.
The incident was confirmed by the Kogi State Police Command in a statement issued by its spokesperson, ASP Saliu Afusat, who said the attackers stormed the community in large numbers, riding on about 40 motorcycles and targeting the school and surrounding area.
According to the police, the hoodlums struck at about 10 a.m., triggering panic among residents and raising fresh concerns over insecurity in the state.
Afusat disclosed that upon receiving distress calls, the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division mobilised a joint security team comprising police operatives, personnel of the Police Mobile Force, tactical units, military officers and local vigilantes to confront the attackers.
“The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush,” the statement read.
The command said preliminary investigations showed there was no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or residents, adding that further assessments were ongoing to establish the full extent of the attack.
The police identified the victims as Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr Sunday Jacob Alhassan, 70; and Sunday Ayele, aged six.
Confirming casualties among the attackers, the police stated that one bandit was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and was receiving treatment.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered sustained bush-combing operations and confidence-building patrols in the affected area. Joint security operatives are still conducting intensive operations to apprehend fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks,” Afusat said.
The command urged residents to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information, assuring that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
