Police operatives in Kogi State on Wednesday successfully repelled an attack by armed bandits who invaded Iluke Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement by the spokesperson of the Police Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the bandits operating on about forty (40) motorcycles, had invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, with the suspected intention of abducting students and other residents of the community.
Police Account
Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Kabba ‘A’ Division, immediately activated a coordinated security response by mobilizing personnel from the Division, alongside operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the Command’s Tactical Teams. Other security personnel already deployed in the area, including military personnel and local vigilante groups, were equally alerted and joined the operation.
The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush. Preliminary findings indicate that there is presently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents. However, investigations and ongoing assessments are continuing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
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 one Sunday Ayele, aged 6 years. The Command commiserates with the families of the deceased and assures them that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice.
During the exchange of gunfire, one of the bandits was neutralized, while a security operatives attached to the joint team sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, has ordered sustained bush-combing and confidence-building patrols across the affected area. Joint security operatives comprising the Police, military personnel, and local vigilantes are currently conducting intensive operations aimed at apprehending the fleeing criminals and preventing any further threat to lives and property.
Members of the public have been urged to remain calm, vigilant, and should continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information that will aid ongoing operations.
Kogi State Government Mourns Victims
The Kogi State Government said it received with deep sadness the report of a terrorist attack on Iluke Community in Bunu District of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area by criminal elements who disguised themselves in military uniforms in a desperate attempt to deceive residents and perpetrate their evil act.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo said, “even as the State mourns the painful loss of three community members, Government commends the swift response, exceptional bravery, and gallantry of military personnel and local security forces whose intervention prevented the attackers from carrying out a mass abduction of students and inflicting further casualties on the community.”
The Kogi State Government expressed profound appreciation to the military, local vigilantes, hunters, and other security personnel whose sacrifice, patriotism, and commitment to duty saved innocent lives and prevented what could have been a devastating mass abduction.
The government said it was closely monitoring the situation in the affected community and working with relevant security agencies to strengthen security presence in the area.
