Armed men on motorcycles stormed Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday, killing three persons and triggering fears of another school abduction in Nigeria.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement issued by its spokesperson, SP William Aya, saying the assailants, who reportedly arrived on about 40 motorcycles, invaded the community with suspected plans to abduct students and residents.
TheFact Daily reports that the attack comes amid growing concerns over renewed assaults on schools across Nigeria. More than 1,000 students have been kidnapped from schools over the past decade, with incidents ranging from the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 to attacks in Dapchi, Kankara, Jangebe, Kuriga and other communities.
In recent weeks alone, teachers’ unions have staged nationwide protests over fresh attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states, warning that educational institutions are once again becoming prime targets for criminal gangs.
Aya said operatives received a distress call at about 10 a.m. and immediately deployed a joint security team comprising officers from the Kabba ‘A’ Division, the Police Mobile Force, tactical units, military personnel and local vigilantes.
The security operatives engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into nearby bushes. According to the police, one of the attackers was killed during the exchange, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
Although local sources claimed the gunmen invaded the school while students were sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and abducted some candidates, the police said investigations had not established any evidence of a successful mass abduction.
“Investigations and ongoing assessments are continuing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” the command said.
Residents told journalists that the attackers’ primary target was the school, which was serving as an examination centre for students from three neighbouring communities.
Reacting to the incident, Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Zacchaeus Michael, condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and unacceptable.
He said the council was working closely with security agencies to strengthen security in vulnerable communities and prevent further attacks.
The incident comes barely hours after the Edo State Government announced the closure of some schools following intelligence reports of planned kidnappings, underscoring mounting concerns over the safety of students and educational facilities across the country.
