By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation
Suspected bandits on Wednesday launched a deadly attack on Iluke-Bunu Community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three persons during an attempted abduction of students writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Residents said the heavily armed attackers, numbering about 40 and riding motorcycles, stormed the community around 10:00 a.m. dressed in military uniforms. Witnesses said the assailants fired sporadically before heading to Government Secondary School, Iluke, where students were taking the examination.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the gunmen disrupted the examination and attempted to force some students into the bush before security operatives intervened.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said it received a distress call that armed bandits had invaded the school and surrounding community with the intention of abducting students and residents.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the Command said the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division swiftly mobilised police personnel, operatives of the Police Mobile Force and tactical teams to the scene. Military personnel and local vigilantes already operating in the area also joined the operation.
The combined security team engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat into nearby bushes.
Although the police said preliminary investigations did not confirm any successful mass abduction, three persons were killed during the attack.
The victims were identified as Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; 70-year-old Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.
The Command added that one of the attackers was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving medical treatment.
The Commissioner of Police in the state has directed sustained bush-combing operations and confidence-building patrols across the affected community as security agencies intensify efforts to apprehend the fleeing attackers.
The Police Command expressed condolences to the families of the victims and urged residents to remain calm and continue providing credible information to security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government described the incident as a terrorist attack carried out by criminal elements disguised as soldiers.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government commended security personnel for their swift response, which it said prevented a devastating mass abduction.
According to the statement, the attackers had already begun marching some students into the bush before security operatives confronted them in a fierce gun battle.
“Owing to the superior firepower, professionalism and courage of the security agents, all the students were successfully rescued unharmed and returned to safety,” the statement read.
Fanwo said several of the fleeing attackers escaped with gunshot wounds, adding that security agencies had launched a manhunt to apprehend all those involved.
He praised the military, local vigilantes, hunters and other security personnel whose sacrifices helped avert what could have been a major tragedy.
“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 commissioner stated.
The state government also sympathised with the families of the victims and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and security in Iluke Community.
