A wave of grief has swept through Iluke Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State after armed bandits attacked a government secondary school, killing three people, including a vice principal and a six-year-old child.
The attack occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday when a large group of armed assailants reportedly stormed Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu.
According to the Kogi State Police Command, the attackers arrived on approximately 40 motorcycles and were suspected to be targeting students and residents for abduction.
In response to distress calls, the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately coordinated a joint security operation involving personnel from the police division, the Police Mobile Force, and tactical units. Military personnel and local vigilante groups already deployed in the area also joined the operation.
Security operatives subsequently engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing them to retreat into nearby bushes.
“The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there is presently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents. However, investigations and ongoing assessments are continuing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” the police said.
Despite the security response, authorities confirmed that three people lost their lives during the attack.
The victims were identified as Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70 years; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.
Police authorities also disclosed that one of the attackers was killed during the gun battle. In addition, a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police directed security personnel to intensify bush-combing operations and confidence-building patrols across the affected community.
The command stated that joint security forces remain actively engaged in operations aimed at tracking down fleeing suspects and preventing further attacks in the area.
Residents have been urged to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information that could assist ongoing investigations and security operations.
“Further developments will be communicated as investigations and operations progress,” the statement added.
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