Three persons have been confirmed dead, including Vice Principal Ganiyu Anifowose, 70-year-old Sunday Jacob Alhassan, and six-year-old Sunday Ayele, following a bandit attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, on Wednesday.
According to Afusat, at about 10:00 a.m., the Command received a distress report that a large number of heavily armed bandits, operating on about 40 motorcycles, had invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, with the suspected intention of abducting students and other residents of the community.
She disclosed that upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately activated a coordinated security response by mobilising personnel from the Division, alongside operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the Command’s Tactical Teams.
Afusat noted that other security personnel already deployed in the area, including military personnel and local vigilante groups, were equally alerted and joined the operation.
“The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush. Preliminary findings indicate that there is presently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents,” she said.
The spokesperson, however, stated that investigations are continuing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Confirming the deaths recorded, she said: “Regrettably, during the attack, three persons lost their lives. They include Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70 years; and one Sunday Ayele, aged 6 years.”
The Command commiserated with the families of the deceased and assured them that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice.
It added that during the exchange of gunfire, one of the bandits was neutralised, while a security operative attached to the joint team sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.
As part of efforts to restore order, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, ordered sustained bush-combing and confidence-building patrols across the affected area.
CP Kankarofi also revealed that joint security operatives comprising the Police, military personnel, and local vigilantes are currently conducting intensive operations aimed at apprehending the fleeing criminals and preventing any further threat to lives and property.
He urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information that would aid ongoing operations.
The CP added that further developments would be communicated as investigations and operations continue.
