Armed bandits on motorcycles invaded Iluke community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday but were repelled by security operatives following a coordinated response that prevented what authorities described as a planned attack on a secondary school and surrounding residents.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued by the Kogi State Police Command through its spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, on June 10, 2026.
According to the statement, the Command received a distress report at about 10:00 am indicating that a large group of heavily armed bandits riding about 40 motorcycles had invaded the area around Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu.
The police said the attackers were suspected to have targeted students and other members of the community for possible abduction.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division mobilised personnel from the division alongside operatives of the Police Mobile Force, tactical teams, military personnel and local vigilante groups already operating in the area.
The combined security team engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into nearby bushes.
“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 Command stated that preliminary investigations had not established any successful mass abduction of students or residents during the attack.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there is presently no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or other residents,” the police added.
The Command, however, confirmed that three persons lost their lives 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 six year-old Sunday Ayele.
The police expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible.
During the exchange of gunfire, one suspected bandit was killed, while a security operative attached to the joint team sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving medical treatment.
The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State has directed sustained bush-combing operations and confidence-building patrols across the affected communities.
The police said joint security teams have continued operations in the area to arrest the fleeing suspects.
Residents were urged to remain calm and continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.
How bandits stormed Kogi school with 40 motorcycles — Police