Armed bandits wearing military uniforms stormed Government Secondary School in Iluke Bunu, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday morning, killing three people—including the Vice Principal, Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose.
The assailants disrupted an ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in an attempt to kidnap students, but a joint team of military personnel and local vigilantes successfully repelled the attack and rescued the students unharmed.
The assault began at approximately 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, according to residents within the locality. The armed group reportedly timed the invasion to target students currently taking their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
“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.”
“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 said.
In a swift reaction, the Executive Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael, denounced the school invasion as an “unfortunate, barbaric, and unacceptable” act of violence.
The Council boss commiserated with the bereaved families and gave strong assurances that security forces are closing in on the attackers.
The Chairman reaffirmed the council’s commitment to protecting lives and property across all local communities.
“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.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command issued a statement identifying the three fatalities from the invasion. The victims are Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose (Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke), Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan (70), and Sunday Ayele.
“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 command said in a statement signed by ASP Saliu Oyiza, the police command’s spokesperson.
According to police authorities, initial investigations indicate there is currently no definitive proof of a mass kidnapping involving students or local residents.
“Investigations and ongoing assessments are continuing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” statement read .
One bandit was killed during the gun battle, though a joint-team security operative sustained gunshot wounds and is currently hospitalized.
Joint forces—including the military, police, and local vigilantes—are aggressively combing the area to track down the fleeing attackers and protect local communities.
