By Desire Emmanuel
The Kogi State government on Wednesday, June 10, gave details of how security agencies were able to stop some bandits who invaded a school and marched students writing the examination conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) into the bush.
The government gave the details in a statement, saying the incident occurred at Iluke Community in Bunu District of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area.
It added that the attempted abduction was carried out by criminal elements who allegedly wore military uniforms.
It said reports available to it indicated that the criminals disrupted an ongoing WAEC examination at a school in the community and had already begun marching students into the bush when security operatives engaged them in a gun battle.
However, owing to the superior firepower, professionalism and courage of the security agents, all the students were successfully rescued unharmed and returned to safety.
During the operation, security forces neutralised one of the bandits, while several others escaped with severe gunshot injuries.
Security agencies are currently on the trail of the fleeing criminals and are intensifying efforts to ensure that all those connected with the attack are apprehended and brought to justice.
The government added that the attack led to the death of three members of the community, as it extended its condolences to the families of the deceased, the people of Iluke community, and the entire Bunu District over the loss.
“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 government said in the statement.
The government stated that during the operation to rescue the students, security forces killed one of the bandits, while several others escaped with severe gunshot injuries.
“Security agencies are currently on the trail of the fleeing criminals and are intensifying efforts to ensure that all those connected with the attack are apprehended and brought to justice,” the government added.
