Terrorists have attacked Iluke Bunu community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing a vice principal and two other residents while three students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were reportedly abducted.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when armed men invaded the community, causing panic among residents. The deceased were identified as Gani Anifowose, Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Iluke, alongside Sunday Jacob Alhassan and a six-year-old child, Sunday Ayele.
According to the Kogi State Police Command, the attackers arrived with about 40 motorcycles and attempted to abduct students writing their English Language examination. Security operatives, including police, military personnel, and local vigilantes, responded and engaged the criminals in a gun battle.
The police said the attackers were forced to retreat into nearby bushes, adding that one of the terrorists was killed during the confrontation while some security personnel sustained injuries.
The Kogi State Government condemned the attack, praising security agencies for preventing what could have been a larger abduction. The government said the rescued students were returned safely and that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing attackers.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area following intelligence reports of a planned kidnapping operation.
The affected schools are Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School, and Makeke Secondary School.
The government said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to protect students, teachers, and school workers. However, students currently sitting for WASSCE examinations will continue their papers under increased security arrangements.
In Niger State, panic spread across Minna after rumours of a possible terrorist attack caused parents to rush to schools to withdraw their children. Some businesses also closed temporarily as residents reacted to the reports.
The Niger State Police Command later dismissed the reports as false, stating that no school had been attacked and urging residents to ignore unverified information capable of causing fear and confusion.
A similar situation occurred in Lagos after panic broke out at a school in Ojokoro following a misunderstanding during an awareness programme on terrorism.
A teacher who dressed as a terrorist as part of a presentation caused students and staff to panic, leading to confusion and parents rushing to the school to pick up their children. Authorities later confirmed that there was no actual attack.
Reacting to the rising security concerns, the Northern Elders Forum called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a national security emergency, saying the country was facing worsening insecurity.
The group said attacks, kidnappings, and violent crimes across different parts of Nigeria required urgent and extraordinary action from the government.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum also urged the Federal Government to strengthen security operations, increase support for security agencies, and establish special courts for terrorism and kidnapping cases.
