Armed bandits stormed Government Secondary School in Iluke Bunu, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday morning, killing three people — including the school’s Vice Principal — and abducting students and residents.
The attack, which occurred around 9:45am, targeted students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination. The Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke, Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, was among those killed, alongside Sunday Jacob Alhassan, 70, and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.
The Kogi State Police Command said approximately 40 heavily armed bandits on motorcycles invaded the school. Security forces, including police mobile units, military personnel, and local vigilante groups, responded and engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into surrounding bush.
One bandit was killed during the exchange, while a security operative was injured and is receiving treatment. Police said preliminary findings indicate there is currently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction, but investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the incident.
The Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the attack as “unfortunate, barbaric, and unacceptable,” and said the local government was working with security agencies to prevent a recurrence.
