Schools in parts of Kogi, Edo and Niger states shut down on Wednesday following renewed fears of terrorist attacks on learning institutions, after gunmen invaded a school in Kogi state and killed three persons, including a vice principal and a six-year-old child.
The closures came weeks after the abduction of pupils in Oyo State, which drew widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over the safety of schools across the country.
In Kogi State, terrorists attacked UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, killing Vice Principal Ganiyu Anifowose, 70-year-old Sunday Jacob Alhassan and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.
Confirming the attack, ASP Saliu Afusat, Kogi state police command spokesman said the assailants stormed the community on about 40 motorcycles with the suspected intention of abducting students and residents.
According to him, a joint security team comprising police personnel, military officers and local vigilantes engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into nearby forests.
Afusat said, “At about 10:00 a.m., the Command received distress information that a large number of heavily armed terrorists, operating on about 40 motorcycles, had invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, with the suspected intention of abducting students and other residents of the community.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, 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.”
He stated that preliminary investigations showed no evidence of a successful mass abduction.
“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 Sunday Ayele, aged six years,” he added.
The police spokesman disclosed that one of the attackers was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment.
DSS alert forces closure of Edo schools
In Edo State, three schools were temporarily shut following intelligence reports warning of a planned mass abduction of schoolchildren in Edo North senatorial district.
The Department of State Services, in a security advisory, disclosed that intelligence obtained from two suspected terrorists indicated plans to target schools after attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals failed to yield substantial ransom payments.
The report stated, “The duo disclosed their plans to kidnap school children in Edo North Senatorial District, as previous attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals had not yielded the expected financial gains.
“To this end, they concluded that abducting school children would attract greater government attention and potentially increase the likelihood of huge ransom payments and concessions.”
Following the alert, the Edo state government ordered the temporary closure of Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The state Ministry of Education directed that only candidates participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination be allowed access to the schools under strict security arrangements.
“All academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools are hereby suspended with immediate effect and shall remain so until further notice from the Ministry,” the directive read.
A senior police officer in Edo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said security agencies had already intensified surveillance around vulnerable schools.
“We have increased surveillance in the areas identified in the letter. We have also visited schools near the forest to double security,” the officer said.
Fear grips Niger communities
In Niger state, reports of a possible terrorist attack led many schools to release pupils early as anxious parents rushed to pick up their children.
Chinenye Nwadike, a parent said she immediately contacted her husband after hearing reports of a planned attack.
“Nobody wants to risk their life. Our three children attend a Catholic primary and secondary school in Bosso. Immediately I learnt about the planned terrorists’ invasion of Minna, I started calling my husband to find out if our children had left school,” she said.
A school administrator, who declined to be named, said concerned parents flooded the school with calls.
“From 11:30 a.m., I continued to receive calls from parents wanting to know if their children were safe and whether the school had closed for the day,” she said.
However, the Niger State Police Command dismissed the reports as false.
SP Wasiu Abiodun, The police public relations officer said no attack occurred in any of the schools mentioned in the rumours.
“The Niger State Police Command wishes to respond to the false and misleading report circulating in the public space, alleging that schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sabon-Wuse and Lambata areas were attacked by hoodlums.
“The Command hereby states categorically that, having visited all the schools mentioned in these areas, no such attack occurred within the state,” he said.
Abiodun added that investigations had commenced to identify those behind the misinformation.
Amnesty, students demand action
Amnesty International condemned the attack in Kogi and urged authorities to strengthen the protection of schools and rural communities.
“No child should have to fear violence while pursuing education,” the organisation said.
The National Association of Okun Students described the attack as another sign of worsening insecurity in the region.
Its National President, Olu Opeyemi, called for an emergency security summit involving traditional rulers, political office holders, community leaders and security agencies.
“The frequency of these attacks is becoming unbearable. Hardly a week passes without reports of kidnappings, attacks on travellers, invasions of communities and loss of lives,” Opeyemi said.
He added, “We need to act now. Every day of delay exposes more innocent people to danger.”
Oyo police dismiss terrorist infiltration claims
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command dismissed reports alleging that suspected Lukarawa terrorists had infiltrated forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park.
CSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Police spokesman described the reports as false and misleading.
“The Oyo State Police Command unequivocally rejects and dismisses the claims contained in the said video and voice note as false, misleading and entirely without factual basis,” he said.
According to him, intelligence and covert operatives have been deployed to border communities and vulnerable locations to strengthen security.
“Comprehensive intelligence assessments and security reports available to the Command do not support nor suggest the existence of any such terrorist movement or infiltration within the areas mentioned,” Olayinka added.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid spreading unverified information capable of creating panic and disrupting economic activities.
