Three persons, including a school vice principal, a child, and an elderly man, were killed on Wednesday after armed bandits invaded a secondary school in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State during an ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Saliu Afusat, noting that the attackers stormed Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in large numbers.
According to the statement, the assailants, reportedly riding on about 40 motorcycles, attempted to abduct students and other residents of the community when security operatives engaged them in a gun duel.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Kabba ‘A’ Division, immediately activated a coordinated security response by mobilizing personnel from the Division, alongside operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the Command’s Tactical Teams,” the statement reads.
“Other security personnel already deployed in the area, including military personnel and local vigilante groups, were equally alerted and joined the operation.”
The command said the joint response forced the attackers to retreat into nearby bushes after a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, also confirmed that the attackers disrupted the ongoing WAEC examinations and had begun moving students into the bush before they were repelled.
He added that security intervention prevented what could have become a large-scale abduction.
“Let it be clearly stated that Kogi State will not submit to terror. Criminal elements seeking to undermine the peace and security of our State will continue to meet a determined, coordinated, and uncompromising response from security agencies and the Government,” the statement reads.
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Police said preliminary findings showed “no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents,” though investigations are still ongoing.
The command also confirmed the deaths of three victims: Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.
“One of the bandits was killed during the exchange of gunfire, while security operatives attached to the joint team sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment,” the statement added.
The police said the Commissioner has ordered sustained bush-combing operations and patrols to track down the fleeing attackers, while urging residents to remain calm and provide useful information to security agencies.
“Members of the public are to remain calm, vigilant, and should continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information that will aid ongoing operations.
“Further developments will be communicated as investigations and operations progress.”
The attack adds to a recent wave of school-related kidnappings and violence across parts of Nigeria, raising fresh concerns over the safety of students in vulnerable communities.