JUST IN: Bandits kill vice principal, child, elderly man in Kogi school attack

Crime Diary

LOKOJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Armed bandits killed three persons, including a school vice principal, a six-year-old child, and a 70-year-old man, during a failed attack on a school and community in Kogi State on Wednesday.

The Kogi State Police Command said security operatives successfully repelled the attack after heavily armed bandits stormed Iluke Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area with the suspected intention of abducting students and residents.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the attackers arrived in the community at about 10:00 a.m. on approximately 40 motorcycles and invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu.

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Upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division mobilised police personnel, operatives of the Police Mobile Force, and the Command’s tactical teams to the scene.

Military personnel and local vigilante groups already deployed in the area were also alerted and joined the operation.

The combined security team engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to abandon their mission and flee into nearby bushes.

The police said preliminary investigations showed no conclusive evidence that the attackers succeeded in carrying out a mass abduction of students or residents, although assessments and investigations were continuing.

Despite the successful repulsion of the attack, three people were killed during the incident.

The victims were identified as Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr Sunday Jacob Alhassan, 70; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.

The Command expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged that those responsible would be brought to justice.

“Regrettably, during the attack, three persons lost their lives,” the statement said.

Police further disclosed that one of the bandits was killed during the exchange of gunfire, while a security operative attached to the joint task force sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.

Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police ordered sustained bush-combing operations and confidence-building patrols across the affected communities.

Joint teams comprising police officers, military personnel, and local vigilantes have since launched intensive operations to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The Command urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while continuing to provide credible and timely information to security agencies.

Police authorities assured the public that further updates would be provided as investigations and security operations progress.