Bandit Attack Fears Force School Closures Across Kogi Edo and Niger States

Schools in Kogi, Edo and Niger states were closed or placed on alert following deadly bandit attacks and intelligence reports of planned student abductions, raising fresh concerns over school security in Nigeria.

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 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.