Three persons, including a school vice principal and a six-year-old child, have been killed after armed bandits attacked Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The attack occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, sparking panic in the community and raising fresh concerns about security in the area.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said a large group of armed bandits riding on about 40 motorcycles stormed the community and school premises in what appeared to be an attempt to abduct students and residents.

In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Afusat, the police said the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately mobilised a joint security response after receiving distress calls.

According to the statement, personnel from the police division, the Police Mobile Force, tactical units, military formations and local vigilante groups were deployed to the scene.

“The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush,” the statement said.

The police noted that preliminary investigations had not established any successful mass abduction of students or residents, adding that further assessments were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack.

The Command, however, confirmed the deaths of three victims 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 Sunday Ayele, aged six.

Police also disclosed that one of the attackers was killed during the exchange of gunfire, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment.

The Commissioner of Police has ordered sustained bush-combing operations and confidence-building patrols in the affected community as security operatives continue efforts to track down the fleeing suspects.

The Command urged residents to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information that could aid ongoing investigations and operations.