Bandits invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday killing three persons, including the Vice Principal, Mr. Gani Anifowose, and two others, while abducting some students.
According to some residents, the incident happened around 9:45am.
The bandits were said to have targeted students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).
A source said: ‘The major target of the attack was UBE Iluke Bunu, where students from three communities were sitting for their WASSCE 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 Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the attack, describing the incident ‘as unfortunate, barbaric, and unacceptable’.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who had lost their lives in the attack , assuring that efforts were being made to arrest the culprits.
He assured residents of the local council’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across all communities within the area.
‘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.
In a statement, the police command’s spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent Saliu Oyiza said that the state Police Command confirmed the attack, saying that three persons lost their lives in the invasion: the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke, Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose; 70-year-old Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan; and one Sunday Ayele, aged six years old.
He said: ‘At about 10 am, 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 mobilising 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’.
However, the police authorities noted that preliminary findings indicate that there is presently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents.
‘Investigations and ongoing assessments are continuing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident’, statement read .
Meanwhile, the police noted that ‘during the exchange of gunfire, one of the bandits was neutralised, while a security operatives attached to the joint team sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment’.
The Police further stated that joint security operatives comprising the Police, military personnel, and local vigilantes were currently conducting intensive operations aimed at apprehending the fleeing criminals and preventing any further threat to lives and property.
