Gunmen murder deputy head, two others in Kogi, prompting Edo to close educational institutions

A terrorist attack on Iluke Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State resulted in the killing of a vice principal and two others, as well as the kidnapping of three students who were about to write their WAEC examination.

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The attack, which occurred in the early hours of yesterday, threw the community into mourning and heightened concerns over the security situation in the area, with community sources identifying the deceased as Mr. Gani Anifowose, Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Iluke.

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Residents disclosed that the attackers operated for hours, creating fear and confusion within the community, and three students of the community were abducted by the terrorists during the invasion.

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The Kogi State Police Command reacted to the attack, stating that it successfully repelled it and prevented what could have been a mass abduction of students, with the command's Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Adusat Salihu, saying the attackers came for the WAEC students writing the English Language paper.

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The police statement read that upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, 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.

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The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush, and preliminary findings indicate that there is currently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents.

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Regrettably, during the attack, three persons lost their lives, including 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.

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The command commiserates with the families of the deceased and assures them that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice, with the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State command, ordering sustained bush-combing and confidence-building patrols across the affected area.

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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.

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Kogi State government commended the security forces for foiling what would have been a mass abduction of the students, with the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, saying the state government has received with deep sadness the report of a terrorist attack on Iluke community.

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Government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, the people of Iluke community, and the entire Bunu district over this painful loss, and commends the swift response, exceptional bravery, and gallantry of military personnel and local security forces whose intervention prevented the attackers from carrying out a mass abduction of students.

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Edo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, following intelligence reports of a planned kidnap attack targeting students, with the affected schools being Ososo Grammar School; Ososo Comprehensive High School; and Makeke Secondary School.

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The decision followed security advisories from relevant agencies warning of credible threats to the safety of students, teachers, and residents in parts of Akoko-Edo, and all academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools have been suspended indefinitely as a precautionary measure to protect lives and property.

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Candidates currently writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination will continue to sit for their papers under enhanced security arrangements, and school authorities have been directed to ensure orderly release of students to their parents and guardians, secure school facilities, and maintain close communication with government officials and security agencies.

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Pandemonium broke out in Minna, Niger State, as parents stormed schools to withdraw their children, amid rumours of terrorists’ invasion of the city, with shop owners within Minna also hurriedly shutting their doors and retiring home.

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Efforts by some headmasters, head teachers, and principals to convince the parents proved abortive as they insisted on taking their wards home, and the Ministry of Education stated that it is not aware of any school invaded by terrorists in the town.

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The state police command described the development as mere rumour which should be disregarded, with Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police, Abiodun Wasiu, saying the public should disregard the false information, which is suspected to have originated from mischief makers to cause panic and fear in the public and school environment.

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Northern elders, under the auspices of Northern Elders Forum, NEF, have asked President Bola Tinubu to urgently declare a national security emergency, saying Nigeria is bleeding, and there was also panic in schools located in Ojokoro area of Lagos, following what turned out to be a prank over alleged kidnapping of students and teachers.