BREAKING: Vice Principal, Two Others Killed as Bandits Attack Kogi Community, Attempt to Abduct WAEC Candidates

Panic erupted in Iluke Bunu, a community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Wednesday morning after suspected bandits launched a deadly attack that left at least three people dead, including a school vice principal.

The attackers, who reportedly invaded the community in large numbers, were said to have targeted students sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), sparking fears of a mass abduction.

According to local sources, the gunmen stormed the area in the early hours of June 10, unleashing gunfire that sent residents and students scrambling for safety. The incident disrupted normal activities in the community and created widespread panic among residents.

A community member who spoke about the attack described the situation as terrifying, revealing that the sound of sustained gunfire echoed across the area as people fled to avoid being caught in the violence.

“We woke up to heavy gunfire this morning. The bandits entered the community and there was confusion everywhere. Residents were running in different directions for safety, while students writing their WAEC examinations became terrified,” the source said.

The source further disclosed that the attackers appeared determined to abduct students and school personnel but were thwarted by the swift intervention of security operatives and local vigilantes.

According to him, soldiers stationed at a nearby military formation responded quickly after receiving distress calls and engaged the gunmen in a fierce exchange of gunfire.

“If not for the prompt response of the soldiers and local vigilante groups, many students could have been kidnapped. The security forces confronted the attackers and eventually forced them to retreat,” he explained.

During the attack, three people reportedly lost their lives. Among the victims was Mr. Gani Anifowose, Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Aharha-Bunu. Two other individuals were also killed in the violence, although details about their identities were not immediately available.

Another resident expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the area, noting that many community members remain traumatised by the incident.

“Our community is facing serious security challenges. The gunshots lasted for a long time, and people are still searching for some residents whose whereabouts remain unknown,” the resident said.

Sources within the community stated that troops from the Nigerian Army formation in Suku-Kiri Bunu led the response operation. The soldiers reportedly engaged the attackers in a gun battle, preventing them from carrying out their mission.

During the confrontation, one of the suspected bandits was allegedly shot dead, while several others escaped into nearby forests and bushes.

The attack has renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of Kogi State, particularly in rural communities where residents have repeatedly faced threats from armed criminal groups. It has also raised fresh questions about the safety of students and educational institutions amid ongoing national examinations.

Residents have called on the government and security agencies to strengthen security presence in vulnerable communities and take decisive action to prevent future attacks on schools and innocent civilians.