Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, under 2 Division, have foiled an attempted abduction of schoolchildren in Iluke-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Army said the attackers, described as terrorists, disguised themselves in military uniforms and attempted to abduct pupils in the community on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
In a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the Army said troops responded swiftly after receiving credible information from vigilant residents who alerted soldiers on patrol to the activities of the attackers.
According to the statement, the troops immediately mobilised to the community to prevent the assailants from carrying out their plan.
On arrival, the Army said the troops discovered that the attackers had already assembled pupils of Iluke Primary School with the intention of abducting them.
The troops were said to have engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon the mission and flee the area.
During the encounter, one of the attackers was neutralised, while several others escaped with gunshot injuries.
The Army said the prompt response of the troops prevented what could have been a large-scale abduction of schoolchildren and saved many lives.
However, before the arrival of the troops, the attackers had reportedly killed a teacher and a resident of the community.
The Kogi State Police Command also confirmed the attack, saying three persons lost their lives during the invasion.
Those killed were identified as Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70; and Sunday Ayele, aged six.
According to the police, the command received a distress report at about 10:00 a.m. that a large number of heavily armed bandits, operating on about 40 motorcycles, had invaded Government Secondary School, Iluke-Bunu, with the suspected intention of abducting students and residents.
The police said the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba “A” Division immediately activated a coordinated security response by mobilising personnel from the division, operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the command’s tactical teams.
Military personnel and local vigilante groups already deployed in the area were also alerted and joined the operation.
The police said the combined security operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce gun duel, forcing them to flee into the surrounding bush.
During the exchange of gunfire, one of the bandits was neutralised, while a security operative attached to the joint team sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.
Residents said the attack occurred while students from three communities were sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, in the area.
A community source claimed that some students and residents were abducted during the invasion.
However, the police said preliminary findings had not established conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or residents, adding that investigations and further assessments were ongoing.
The Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate, barbaric and unacceptable.
He commiserated with the families of those killed and assured residents that efforts were being intensified to apprehend the perpetrators.
The chairman said the local government administration was working closely with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to put lasting measures in place to prevent a recurrence.
The Army also said troops were pursuing the fleeing attackers, adding that security outfits in neighbouring Kwara and Niger states had been alerted to block escape routes because of the interconnected nature of the affected communities.
It said additional measures had been put in place to deny the terrorists freedom of action, reassure residents and prevent further attacks.
Security agencies urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing operations against criminal elements in the state.
The attack has heightened fear among residents of communities along the Kogi-Kwara axis, where cases of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes have continued to raise serious security concerns.
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