Dirisu Yakubu, Solomon Odeniyi, Deborah Tolu-Kolawole, Gbenga Odogun, Chika Otuchikere, Adeyinka Adedipe and Gabriel Oshokha

Schools in some parts of the country closed early on Wednesday as fears of bandit attacks spread.

The schools were hurriedly shut down following an attack by bandits on the UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke, Kogi State and a threat of possible invasion at learning centres in Edo and Niger States.

This is happening a few weeks after school pupils were abducted in Oyo, fuelling national and international condemnation of the worsening security situation in the country.

At least three persons lost their lives when suspected bandits attacked the UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke, in the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The deceased include Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School; Mr Sunday Alhassan, aged 70 years; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.

The tragedy was confirmed in a statement by the Kogi State Police Command spokesperson, Salihu Afusat.

During the exchange of gunfire, the police disclosed that one of the attackers was neutralised, while a security operative attached to the joint team sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.

The statement read, “At about 10:00 a.m., the Command received distress information 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 other residents of the community.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Kabba ‘A’ Division, immediately activated a coordinated security response by mobilising 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.’’

Police preliminary findings indicate that there was 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 six. The Command commiserates with the families of the deceased and assures them that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the police stated.

In Edo State, three schools were shut down following a Department of State Security intelligence report about a planned mass abduction of school children, particularly in Edo North Senatorial District, by bandits.

The secret police, in a letter addressed to the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps dated June 5, 2026, called for heightened security around the schools in the area.

The DSS said the intelligence was obtained from two suspected bandits, who were intercepted while conducting surveillance on their targets.

“During the conversation, the duo disclosed their plans to kidnap school children in Edo North Senatorial District, as previous attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals had not yielded the expected financial gains.

“To this end, they concluded that abducting school children would attract greater government attention and potentially increase the likelihood of huge ransom payments and concessions.

“On June 4, 2026, one Emmanuel Momidu (25 years) was apprehended while he was perceived to be surveilling Makeke Secondary School at Makeke Community, Akoko Edo LGA.”

However, a top officer in the Edo State Police Command, who pleaded anonymity, noted that the command has already acted on the reports, wondering how the security report got to the public.

The officer noted that they get several security reports, which most of the time determine the actions they take over security issues.

The officer said, “The security reports have already been acted upon. We have increased surveillance in the areas identified in the letter. We have also visited schools near the forest to double security.

“But the leaked report and the media attention it gets will surely get to those planning these nefarious acts, but we are proactive and have already taken steps to ensure this does not happen.

“It’s not even clear how a document like that got to the public domain, and the person who leaked it has contravened the civil service rule.”

In response to the threat, the Edo State Government ordered the temporary closure of Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School, all in the Akoko- Edo LGA.

The State Ministry of Education disclosed this in a circular dated June 9, 2026 and made available to newsmen in Benin City.

The statement said the closure of the schools followed the security alarm raised by the DSS. The statement signed by Enodolomwanyi Otamere on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the ministry was addressed to the principals of the affected schools.

The ministry, however, directed that candidates currently participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination should be allowed access to sit for their examinations under strict security arrangements.

“All academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools are hereby suspended with immediate effect and shall remain so until further notice from the Ministry.

“However, candidates currently participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination shall be allowed access to sit for their examinations under strict security arrangements and supervision as may be provided by the relevant security agencies and community stakeholders,” the statement read in part.

In Minna, Niger State, reports of an imminent attack sent school children scurrying home on Wednesday.

A parent who identified herself as Chinenye Nwadike said when she heard about the alleged terrorists’ invasion, she asked her husband if their three children had left school.

“Nobody wants to risk their life. Our three children attend a Catholic primary and secondary school in Bosso. Immediately I learnt about the planned terrorists’ invasion of Minna, I started calling my husband to find out if our children had left school and were at the shop.

“I learnt that these terrorists target Christian schools. I understand all the children kidnapped from the Oyo school are Christians. Nothing must happen to our innocent children,” she said.

The principal of a Catholic school, a Reverend sister, who pleaded anonymity, said the pupils fled the school hurriedly on hearing the speculation.

“From 11.30 am, when I heard the news that bandits had invaded Minna and were targeting Christian schools, I continued to receive calls from parents of my pupils wanting to find out if their children were safe and if they had closed the school for the day.

“I simply told them that I also heard the rumour but had not seen any terrorists. I have also contacted the Niger state police command, and the PRO has assured me that there was nothing like that. I don’t know what to believe again because the way bandits are abducting school children and the government, both at the federal and state levels, appear helpless, is a major cause for concern.”

A parent, Mr Isah Usman, explained that he ran to fetch his son from school following the speculation of a bandit attack.

“This thing is very scary. The rate at which these bandits invade schools and abduct even little children is worrisome. The worst thing is that the government cannot do anything. They will say don’t pay ransom to bandits, but they don’t give any option except to let the abducted child die in the terrorists’ den. This is wickedness.

“I suggest that the Niger State government should declare Thursday a public holiday because parents are still scared. Moreover, Friday is a public holiday for Democracy Day.”

Meanwhile, a statement by the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, dismissed the speculation.

“The Niger State Police Command wishes to respond to the false and misleading report circulating in the public space, alleging that schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sabon-Wuse and Lambata areas were attacked by hoodlums.

“The Command hereby states categorically that, having visited all the schools mentioned in these areas, no such attack occurred within the State.

“The Police Command urges members of the public to disregard this false information, which is suspected to have originated from mischief makers to cause panic and fear in the public and school environment.

“However, an intelligence investigation has commenced to unravel the source of the false report, identify and arrest the mischief makers.’’

It further stated that the state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, had earlier directed Divisional Police Officers to work closely with school administrators and ensure the safety of students, staff and the community.

Amnesty International condemned the deadly attack in Iluke community and called on relevant authorities to urgently bring those responsible to justice and strengthen protection for schools, students, and rural communities.

“No child should have to fear violence while pursuing education,’’ the organisation said.

Similarly, the National Association of Okun Students has described the incident as a disturbing reflection of the worsening security situation across Okun Land.

The association called for an urgent overhaul of the region’s security architecture, urging traditional rulers, political office holders, security agencies and community leaders to immediately convene a security summit to address the growing threat posed by criminal elements.

In a statement signed by its National President, Olu Opeyemi, the group expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnappings, killings, attacks on travellers and invasions of communities across the region.

“The frequency of these attacks is becoming unbearable. Hardly a week passes without reports of kidnappings, attacks on travellers, invasions of communities, and loss of lives. Our people deserve to live in peace and carry out their daily activities without fear of being attacked by criminal elements,” Opeyemi said.

According to him, the latest attack underscores the urgent need for stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and develop a coordinated response to the security challenges facing the area.

The NAOS president called on traditional rulers, elected officials, community leaders and security agencies to urgently convene a strategic security summit aimed at developing a comprehensive and sustainable framework to tackle insecurity in Okun communities.

“We need to act now. Every day of delay exposes more innocent people to danger. Our traditional rulers, political leaders, and security agencies must work together to design practical solutions that will strengthen intelligence gathering, community vigilance, rapid response mechanisms, and collaboration with security operatives,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has refuted rumours of terrorist movement into Ogbomoso, warning against spreading unverified information.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, while reacting to a video and accompanying voice note circulating on various social media platforms, alleging the movement and infiltration of suspected Lukarawa terrorists into forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park.

The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to address and clarify a video and accompanying voice note currently circulating across various social media platforms alleging the movement and infiltration of suspected Lukarawa terrorists into forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park.

“The Command unequivocally rejects and dismisses the claims contained in the said video and voice note as false, misleading, and entirely without factual basis. Comprehensive intelligence assessments and security reports available to the Command do not support nor suggest the existence of any such terrorist movement or infiltration within the areas mentioned.’’

It added, “Notwithstanding the falsity of the report, the Oyo State Police Command remains proactive and resolute in its commitment to the safety and security of all residents of the state. Consequently, intelligence and covert operatives have been strategically deployed to border communities and other vulnerable locations within the affected axis to further strengthen the robust security architecture and early warning mechanisms already in place.

“The deployed operatives are working in close synergy with existing local security structures, community-based intelligence networks, traditional institutions, hunters, vigilante groups, and other critical stakeholders to ensure enhanced intelligence gathering, prompt information sharing, and swift response to any emerging security concerns.

“In addition, the Command has significantly increased visibility policing, confidence-building patrols, intelligence-led stop-and-search operations, and strategic deployments across Ogbomoso, the Old Oyo National Park axis, and adjoining border communities. These measures are aimed at reassuring residents, deterring criminal elements, and maintaining the prevailing peace and security within the area.”

The Command therefore called on members of the public, particularly residents of border communities and rural settlements, to remain vigilant and security-conscious.

“Such false reports are capable of creating unnecessary panic, generating fear among law-abiding citizens, undermining public confidence, disrupting economic activities, and diverting security resources from genuine security concerns.’’ (Punch News)

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