Armed assailants invaded Iluke community in Kogi State during ongoing WASSCE examinations, leaving three persons dead as security operatives reportedly foiled a mass abduction attempt.
Residents of Iluke community in Bunu District of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State are calling for urgent government intervention after armed bandits attacked the area on Wednesday, killing three persons, including a school vice principal.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community while students were writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), creating panic across the area. Reports indicated that the major target of the attack was UBE Iluke Bunu, where candidates were sitting for examinations at the time of the invasion.
Among those killed was Gani Anifowose, identified as the Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Aharha-Bunu. Two other residents also lost their lives during the incident.
Sources familiar with the incident said troops of the Nigerian Army stationed in nearby Suku-Kiri Bunu responded after distress calls from the community. Security operatives reportedly engaged the attackers in a gun battle, preventing what authorities described as a possible mass abduction of students and school personnel.
The development has intensified concerns over insecurity in parts of Kogi State, particularly in communities where schools and examination centres have become vulnerable to attacks. Reports also suggested that some residents remained unaccounted for after the invasion, while allegations emerged that several students may have been taken away during the confusion.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the attack, stating that heavily armed bandits riding motorcycles invaded the school environment with suspected intentions of abducting students and residents. The command added that one of the attackers was neutralised during the operation, while security personnel sustained injuries in the exchange.
At the time of filing this report, security operations were said to be ongoing across the affected area as authorities intensified efforts to track down the fleeing assailants.