Three dead, including school vice principal, after gunmen attack Kogi community and target students writing WASSCE.

Fear engulfed Iluke Bunu community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday morning after suspected bandits launched a deadly attack that claimed the lives of three persons, including a school vice principal.

The attackers, who reportedly invaded the community in large numbers, were said to have targeted students participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), raising fears of a mass abduction.
According to sources in the community, the gunmen stormed the area in the early hours of June 10 and opened fire indiscriminately, forcing residents and students to flee for safety. The attack disrupted normal activities and triggered widespread panic across the community.
A resident who spoke on the incident described the situation as frightening, saying sustained gunfire echoed throughout the area as people scrambled to escape.
“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 resident added that the attackers appeared intent on abducting students and school personnel but were prevented from carrying out their plan by the swift response of security operatives and local vigilantes.
According to the source, soldiers stationed at a nearby military formation responded promptly to distress calls and engaged the gunmen in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
He noted that the quick intervention of the soldiers and local vigilante groups prevented what could have been a large-scale kidnapping of students. The security operatives eventually forced the attackers to retreat.
Three people reportedly lost their lives during the attack. One of the victims was Mr. Gani Anifowose, Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Aharha-Bunu. The identities of the two other victims were not immediately disclosed.
Another resident expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the area, stating that many residents 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 said troops from the Nigerian Army formation in Suku-Kiri Bunu led the response operation and engaged the attackers in a gun battle, preventing them from carrying out their mission.
During the confrontation, one of the suspected bandits was reportedly killed, while several others escaped into nearby forests and bushes.
The incident has renewed concerns about insecurity in parts of Kogi State, especially in rural communities that have repeatedly come under attack from armed criminal groups. It has also raised fresh concerns about the safety of students and educational institutions during national examinations.
Residents have called on the government and security agencies to strengthen security in vulnerable communities and take decisive measures to prevent future attacks on schools and innocent civilians.