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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Residents of Iluke community in the Bunu District of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State have been thrown into mourning following a deadly attack by suspected bandits that claimed the lives of three persons, including a school vice principal, and sparked conflicting reports over the fate of some students.
The attackers reportedly stormed the UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke, and the surrounding community in the early hours of the day, opening fire and causing panic among students, staff and residents.
Among those killed was the vice principal of the school, Mr Ganiyu Anifowose. The Kogi State Police Command identified the other victims as 70-year-old Mr Sunday Jacob Alhassan and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.
Early reports from the community suggested that students preparing to sit the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) English Language paper were abducted during the attack.
A community source alleged that, “the students who were scheduled to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination English Language paper on Wednesday were taken away during the incident.”
However, official accounts have presented a different picture of the incident.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the attack but said security forces thwarted an attempted mass abduction.
“The unfortunate attack led to the death of three members of the community,” Fanwo said.
He added that, “Military personnel, local vigilantes, hunters and other security operatives responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a gun battle,” resulting in the students being returned to safety.
The Kogi State Police Command also urged caution over reports of mass kidnapping, stating that investigations were ongoing.
“There is presently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents,” the command said.
Security operatives and local vigilante groups have since intensified efforts to track down the attackers and prevent further assaults on the community.
The incident has heightened fears among parents and community leaders, who have renewed calls for improved security around schools and vulnerable rural communities amid persistent threats of banditry and kidnapping.
The latest attack adds to growing concerns over the safety of educational institutions across the country, despite ongoing security operations aimed at curbing violent crimes.
While early reports indicated that three students were kidnapped, official accounts from the Kogi State Government and the police suggest that an attempted abduction may have been foiled. Authorities say investigations are continuing to reconcile the conflicting reports and establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.