By Daily Review Online
Armed bandits on Wednesday attacked Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three persons, including a vice principal, and reportedly abducting several students during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Residents said the attackers stormed the community at about 9:45 a.m., targeting examination centres where students from different communities were writing their WAEC examinations.
Among those killed was Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of the school, alongside two other victims identified as Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, 70, and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.
Sources in the community said the gunmen attempted to abduct students and residents during the raid.
“The main target was the examination centre at UBE Iluke Bunu, where students from three communities were sitting for their WAEC examinations. The vice principal was killed alongside two others, while some students and residents were taken away,” a resident said.
Reacting to the incident, Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric, unfortunate and unacceptable.”
He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured residents that security agencies were working to track down those responsible.
“The local government is collaborating closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure measures are put in place to prevent a recurrence of such attacks,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said heavily armed bandits riding about 40 motorcycles invaded the area with the apparent intention of abducting students and residents.
Police spokesperson ASP Saliu Oyiza said a joint security team comprising police officers, military personnel, vigilantes and tactical operatives responded swiftly to the distress call and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
According to the police, one bandit was killed during the exchange of fire, while a member of the security team sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment.
The command, however, stated that investigations were ongoing and that there was no conclusive evidence yet of a successful mass abduction of students.
Security operatives have since launched a manhunt for the fleeing attackers and intensified operations across the area to forestall further threats to lives and property.Headline Options