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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Bandits attack Kogi school, kill vice principal, six-year-old, one other

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Bandits attacked Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu in Kogi State, killing the vice principal, a 6-year-old child, and another person.
  • Police mobilized a joint security response, engaging the bandits in a gun duel and forcing them to flee.
  • While no mass abduction of students was confirmed, three individuals were killed, and one attacker was neutralized during the exchange.

A violent attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu in Kogi State has resulted in the deaths of three people, including the school's vice principal and a six-year-old child. The incident occurred Wednesday morning when a large group of armed bandits, reportedly on about 40 motorcycles, invaded the school premises.

The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush.

— ASP Saliu Afusat, Kogi State Police Command spokespersonDescribing the engagement between security forces and the bandits.

Authorities received distress calls and immediately deployed a joint security team comprising police, mobile force, tactical teams, military personnel, and local vigilantes. The security operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, compelling them to retreat into the surrounding bush. Preliminary reports indicate that the bandits' primary intention may have been to abduct students and residents.

Preliminary findings indicate that there is presently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents. However, investigations and ongoing assessments are continuing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

— ASP Saliu Afusat, Kogi State Police Command spokespersonProviding an update on the confirmation of student abductions.

The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the fatalities, identifying the victims as Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, 70; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele. During the confrontation, one bandit was killed, and a member of the joint security team sustained injuries and is receiving treatment.

They include Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70 years; and Sunday Ayele, aged six years.

— ASP Saliu Afusat, Kogi State Police Command spokespersonConfirming the identities of the three individuals killed during the attack.

While investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full details of the incident, the police have not confirmed any successful mass abduction of students. The Command has ordered sustained bush-combing operations and increased patrols in the area to apprehend the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks. The public is urged to provide credible information to assist security agencies.

Further developments will be communicated as investigations and operations progress.

— ASP Saliu Afusat, Kogi State Police Command spokespersonPromising further updates on the ongoing investigation and operations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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