Three Killed as Gunmen Attack Kogi School During WAEC Examination

Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Wednesday attacked Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three persons and disrupting the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Residents said the attackers invaded the community at about 9:45 a.m. and targeted the school where candidates from three communities had gathered to sit for the examination.

 Community sources alleged that some students and residents were abducted during the attack.

Among those killed were the Vice Principal of the school, Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, a 70-year-old resident identified as Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, and a six-year-old child, Sunday Ayele.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said it received a distress call at about 10:00 a.m. indicating that a large group of heavily armed bandits riding on about 40 motorcycles had invaded the school and surrounding community with the suspected intention of abducting students and residents.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza, said the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately mobilised police personnel, including operatives of the Police Mobile Force and tactical teams, while military personnel and local vigilantes already deployed in the area joined the operation.

According to the command, the combined security team engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding bush.

One of the suspected bandits was neutralised during the exchange, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment.

The police, however, said preliminary investigations had not established any conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or residents, adding that assessments and investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the incident.

Security agencies have since launched intensive operations to track down the fleeing attackers and prevent further threats to lives and property in the affected community.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate, barbaric and unacceptable.

 He extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured residents that efforts were underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Michael also reaffirmed the commitment of the local government administration to safeguarding lives and property, saying it was working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to prevent a recurrence of such attacks in the area.