Bandits attacked Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday, killing three people, including Vice Principal Mr. Gani Anifowose, and abducting some students.
Residents said the attack happened around 9:45 a.m. and targeted students writing the 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.
Kabba/Bunu Local Government Chairman, Hon. (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the attack, describing it “as unfortunate, barbaric, and unacceptable”. He expressed sympathy to the victims’ families and assured residents that efforts were underway to arrest those responsible.
“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.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the attack. It identified the victims as Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, 70; and Sunday Ayele, 6.
“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.
“The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush”, the command said.
Police said there was no conclusive evidence yet of a mass abduction and that investigations were ongoing. They added that “during the exchange of gunfire, one of the bandits was neutralized, while a security operatives attached to the joint team sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment”.
