Tragedy struck on Wednesday in Kogi State as armed bandits invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, killing three persons, including a vice principal, and abducting an unspecified number of students during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The attack, which occurred at about 9:45 a.m., threw the community into panic as the gunmen reportedly targeted students writing their WAEC examinations at a designated centre within the area.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the school in large numbers, riding on motorcycles and shooting sporadically as they advanced into the examination venue, forcing students, teachers and residents to flee for safety.
Community sources said candidates from three surrounding communities had gathered at the Universal Basic Education (UBE) school in Iluke Bunu for the examination when the attackers struck.
“The major target was the UBE Iluke Bunu centre where students from three communities were sitting for their WAEC papers when the gunmen invaded,” a local source said.
During the attack, the Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Aharha-Bunu, identified as Mr. Gani Anifowose, was killed alongside two other residents, Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan (70), and a six-year-old child, Sunday Ayele.
Several students were also reportedly abducted, although authorities say the exact number is yet to be confirmed.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement, saying it received a distress call at about 10:00 a.m. reporting that a large number of armed men had invaded the school and surrounding community on motorcycles.
According to the statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza, the attackers were suspected to be attempting a mass abduction of students and residents.
“The Command received information that a large number of heavily armed bandits, operating on about forty motorcycles, had invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, with the intention of abducting students and other residents,” the statement said.
The police said a joint response team comprising operatives of the Police Mobile Force, tactical units, military personnel and local vigilantes was immediately deployed to the scene.
Security forces reportedly engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding forest.
“One of the bandits was neutralised during the exchange of fire, while a member of the security team sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment,” the command added.
However, the police noted that preliminary investigations had not yet confirmed the full extent of abductions, stating that assessments were still ongoing to determine the number of students or residents who may have been taken.
Following the attack, security operatives launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation across nearby forests and escape routes to track down the fleeing assailants and rescue any possible abductees.
The Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric, unfortunate and unacceptable.”
He extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured residents that the local government was working closely with security agencies to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
The incident has once again heightened concerns over school safety in rural communities and the growing vulnerability of examination centres in Nigeria’s north-central region to armed attacks. :::