Residents of Iluke community in Bunu District of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State have appealed for urgent government intervention after armed assailants attacked the community, killing three people, including a school vice principal.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, threw the community into mourning and heightened fears over insecurity in the area.
According to Vanguard, community sources identified one of the victims as Mr Gani Anifowose, Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Iluke.
He was reportedly killed alongside two other residents during the invasion.
Residents said the attackers operated for several hours, causing panic and confusion among members of the community.
Some community members alleged that students who were scheduled to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination English Language paper on Wednesday were taken away during the incident.
The development sparked fears of a possible mass abduction in the community.
Reacting to the attack, the Kogi State Government said security operatives foiled an attempted mass abduction of students.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the attackers disguised themselves in military uniforms to gain access to the community.
The government confirmed that three community members lost their lives in the attack.
“The unfortunate attack led to the death of three members of the community. Government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, the people of Iluke Community, and the entire Bunu District over this painful loss,” the statement read.
Fanwo said reports available to the government indicated that the attackers disrupted an ongoing WAEC examination and attempted to move students into the bush.
He said military personnel, local vigilantes, hunters and other security operatives responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
According to him, all the students were rescued unharmed and returned to safety.
The government said one of the attackers was killed during the operation, while others escaped with injuries.
It commended security operatives for preventing further casualties and stopping what could have become a mass abduction.
The state government said security agencies had begun tracking the fleeing attackers to ensure they are arrested and brought to justice.
It added that additional measures were being considered to strengthen security in the affected area.
The government urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
It also expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
