Bandits Disrupt WAEC Exam in Kogi School, Kill Vice Principal, Two Others

No fewer than three people were killed on Wednesday after suspected bandits attacked a school in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, disrupting an ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

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The Kogi State Police Command said the victims included a vice principal, a six-year-old boy and a 70-year-old man.

In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, SP Saliu Afusat, said the attack occurred at Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, where heavily armed bandits reportedly stormed the community on about 40 motorcycles, allegedly intending to abduct students and residents.

According to the police, security operatives swiftly responded after receiving a distress call around 10 a.m.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer of 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.

“Other security personnel already deployed in the area, including military personnel and local vigilante groups, were equally alerted and joined the operation,” Saliu said.

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

Saliu said preliminary investigations showed no conclusive evidence that any student or resident was successfully abducted during the attack.

However, the command noted that investigations and assessments were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Regrettably, during the attack, three persons lost their lives. They include Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70 years; and one Sunday Ayele, aged six years,” the police said.

The command expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured residents that efforts were underway to apprehend those responsible.

Saliu also disclosed that one of the bandits was killed during the exchange of gunfire, while some security operatives attached to the joint team sustained gunshot wounds and are receiving medical treatment.

“The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, has ordered sustained bush-combing operations and confidence-building patrols across the affected communities.

“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,” the statement added.

The command urged residents to remain calm and continue providing credible information to support ongoing security operations.

In a separate statement, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that the attackers disrupted an ongoing WAEC examination.

He added that the gunmen had already begun leading some students into the bush before security operatives intervened and engaged them in a gunfight.

Fanwo commended the military, local vigilantes, hunters and other security personnel for preventing what he described as a potentially devastating mass abduction.

“Let it be clearly stated that Kogi State will not submit to terror. Criminal elements seeking to undermine the peace and security of our state will continue to meet a determined, coordinated and uncompromising response from security agencies and the government,” he added.

The latest attack comes amid growing concerns over increasing assaults on schools across the country.

On May 15, bandits abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in the Oriire area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State. During the incident, an assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist were killed.

Days later, one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by his captors.

Similarly, on May 16, suspected Boko Haram insurgents abducted 42 pupils and students from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.