NIGERIA: Bandits Kill Vice Principal, Two Others In Attack On Kogi School, Abduct Some Students

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Bandits on Wednesday invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three persons including the Vice Principal and abducting an unspecified number of students and residents.

The attack occurred around 9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. while students from three communities were writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The deceased have been identified as Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose (also referred to as Gani Anifowose), Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.

According to residents, the heavily armed bandits, who arrived on about 40 motorcycles, specifically targeted the examination centre. Three students and several residents were reportedly abducted during the invasion.

The Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the attack as “unfortunate, barbaric, and unacceptable.” He expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured residents that the local government is working with security agencies to arrest the perpetrators and prevent future occurrences.

The Kogi State government and Police Command confirmed the incident in a statements signed by spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza and Commissioner for Information, Femi Fanwo.

The command said a joint team of police, military personnel, and local vigilantes engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel, forcing them to flee into the surrounding bush.

One bandit was neutralized during the exchange of gunfire, while a security operative sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment. The police noted that preliminary investigations have not found conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students, adding that assessments are still ongoing.

The command stated that intensive operations are continuing to apprehend the fleeing criminals and restore normalcy in the area.

This latest incident has heightened fears over the safety of students and schools in parts of Kogi State amid the broader insecurity challenges facing the region.