Gunmen on Wednesday invaded Government Secondary School in the Aharha-Bunu area of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State and killed the school vice-principal, Gani Anifowose.

A source who spoke to the Peoples Gazette said two other persons were killed during an attempt by the assailants to abduct students sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

In a statement on Wednesday, the state commissioner for information, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the incident, saying the gunmen attacked the Iluke community in the Bunu District of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of the state.

“The Kogi State Government has received with deep sadness the report of a terrorist attack on Iluke Community in Bunu District of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area by criminal elements who disguised themselves in military uniforms in a desperate attempt to deceive residents and perpetrate their evil act,” he said.

Mr Fanwo said the attack resulted in the deaths of three community members, adding that the government extended its condolences to the families of the victims.

He commended the swift response of military operatives and other security agents, whose intervention, he said, prevented the attackers from carrying out a mass abduction of students and causing further casualties.

Mr Fanwo stated, “Reports available to the Government indicate that the bandits disrupted an ongoing WAEC examination and had already begun marching students into the bush when security operatives engaged them in a fierce gun battle.”

Mr Fanwo added that security forces killed one of the attackers, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Owing to the superior firepower, professionalism, and courage of the security agents, all the students were successfully rescued unharmed and returned to safety. statement reads.

“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,” he said.

He thanked the military, vigilantes, hunters and other security operatives whose sacrifices , patriotism and commitment to duty saved lives and averted what could have been a devastating mass abduction.