Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Armed bandits launched a brazen attack on Iluke Bunu in Kabba‑Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday morning, June 10, 2026, leaving the Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Iluke, and two other persons dead in an apparent attempt to abduct students who were sitting for their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Troops of the Nigerian Army stationed at nearby Suku‑Kiri Bunu responded swiftly to the distress call, neutralising one of the assailants and successfully preventing what could have been a mass abduction of schoolchildren and teachers.
The attack, which sent panic through the community, was concentrated on UBE Iluke Bunu, the centre where candidates from several schools had gathered to write their English Language paper. The assailants reportedly arrived heavily armed and began shooting sporadically, forcing residents and students to scatter for cover. In the ensuing chaos, the Vice Principal, identified by multiple sources as Mr. Gani Anifowose, was fatally shot. Two other residents also lost their lives in the attack. The victims were said to have been hit while trying to shield the pupils.
Residents described an atmosphere of terror as the gunmen moved through the community, apparently intent on seizing the young candidates. The arrival of troops from the nearby Suku‑Kiri outpost turned the tide. The military team engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing the attackers to abandon their plan and retreat into the bush. During the firefight, one of the bandits was neutralised. The remaining assailants fled with gunshot wounds, leaving behind the students they had targeted.
In a separate but related development, sources told reporters that students from three neighbouring communities who had also been scheduled to write the same examination were allegedly abducted amid the escalating violence. The exact number of those taken remains unclear, and security agencies have yet to confirm those reports. A representative of the community association told local journalists that calls for help had been placed but that visible rescue efforts were not immediately forthcoming. "An hour is gone and no sign of rescue efforts from the security agencies despite placing several calls for help," the representative said.
The Kabba‑Bunu Local Government Area has confirmed the attack, while residents continue to express concerns over the growing insecurity in the area. The Kogi State Police Command had not issued an official statement at the time of this report, and calls to the command’s spokesperson were not answered. However, police sources confirmed that a tactical team had been deployed to the area to assist the military in tracking down the fleeing bandits.
The attack has reignited fears over the safety of schools in the North‑Central region, particularly as WAEC examinations are ongoing. Educational activities in Kogi State have repeatedly been disrupted by bandit raids, with students and teachers often becoming targets for abduction and ransom. The Bunu district has witnessed repeated security breaches in recent months. On May 4, suspected armed bandits reportedly attacked travellers along the Iluke‑Oferre Road, shooting sporadically and causing panic among commuters. On June 1, troops rescued 23 of more than 25 persons abducted along the Ayegunle‑Igun Bunu Road, a corridor that connects several communities within the same local government area. In that earlier incident, two victims were killed and five others sustained injuries.
The community’s sense of abandonment deepened when a representative of a local association told reporters that "an hour is gone and no sign of rescue efforts from the security agencies despite placing several calls for help. We urge citizens to remain calm and continue praying for divine intervention, protection, and lasting peace in our communities."
The attack also raises serious questions about the adequacy of school security. UBE Iluke Bunu, like many rural schools, lacks perimeter fencing or a dedicated security post, making it a soft target for armed gangs. Although the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade has previously surveyed a site for a Forward Operating Base in Iluke Bunu, the facility has not yet been established. In April 2025, the Commander of the 12 Brigade inspected a proposed site in Iluke Bunu for the establishment of a Forward Operating Base, but the base has yet to become operational. Without a permanent military presence, troops had to be rushed from Suku‑Kiri Bunu, giving the attackers a window of opportunity to strike.
As of Wednesday evening, rescue operations were ongoing, and security agencies were working to determine the exact number of students abducted and the identities of the two additional civilians killed in the attack. The bodies of the slain victims have been deposited in a mortuary in Kabba, pending burial arrangements.
For the families of the students who were taking their WAEC examinations, the attack is a painful reminder that for rural communities in Nigeria, even the act of seeking an education has become a mortal risk. The two other civilians who lost their lives have not yet been named, and the fate of the students reported abducted remains unknown. The government has yet to issue a statement, and the police have not explained why the distress calls went unanswered.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments