Tension and grief have been forced on the Iluke Bunu community in Kogi State by bandits who reportedly killed the Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Iluke and abducted candidates preparing for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) tests.

Pupils in Minna, Niger State, hurriedly ended academic activities yesterday and fled to their homes over fear of bandits’ invasion of the state capital.

But the police debunked the report that schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sabon-Wuse and Lambata local councils were attacked by hoodlums.

In Edo State, the government shut three public secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Council till further notice over growing insecurity.

The Guardian gathered that the school principal, identified as Gani Anifowose, was gruesomely killed during the attack by the armed bandits yesterday morning.

Residents say the community is presently under a serious security threat as fear and panic continue to spread across the area.

In another disturbing development, reports indicate that students from three communities, who were scheduled to sit for the English Language WAEC test, were kidnapped. The situation sparked fresh concerns over the safety of students, teachers and residents in vulnerable communities across Kogi.

A representative of the community association called on security agencies and relevant authorities to urgently intensify efforts to restore peace, secure the affected communities, and ensure the safe return of all abducted victims.

NIGER Police Command spokesman, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement issued to newsmen yesterday, noted that having visited all the schools mentioned, no such attack occurred in any school within the state.

It urged members of the public to disregard the “false information”, which is suspected to have originated from mischief-makers to cause panic in the public and school environments.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, had earlier directed Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to work closely with school administrators in line with school protection initiatives and to ensure police visibility patrols around schools for the safety of students, staff, and the community.

He added that in case of any further observations, the public should contact the following numbers: 0703 196 4389, 0803 223 3454 and 0916 880 2621

THE Guardian gathered that the Niger pupils did not wait for closing time before taking to their heels over fears that bandits might have stormed their schools.

Parents, who also heard of a possible invasion of Minna by terrorists, made calls to the heads of their children’s schools to confirm whether schools had actually been closed for the day.

The principal of a Catholic school, a nun, on condition of anonymity, said she also heard the rumour and that most of the children in her school fled hurriedly.

THE schools shut in Edo included Ososo Grammar School, Ososo; Ososo Comprehensive High School, Ososo; and Makeke Secondary School, Makeke.

The decision to shut the schools may not be unconnected with a leaked memo from the Department of State Services (DSS) to the State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over an uncovered planned abduction in public schools in Edo North.

The document also claimed that a communication between two suspects where the plot was being planned was intercepted. The memo added that a suspected spy had been arrested in one of the public schools in the area.

Clarifying the shutdown, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said: “This decision has been taken by Governor Monday Okpebholo as part of the government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens, particularly students, teachers and school personnel. All academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools are suspended with immediate effect, pending further directives from the government.

“However, students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will be allowed access to their examination centres under strict security arrangements coordinated by school authorities, security agencies, and community leaders.”

The statement directed principals of the affected schools to ensure the safe and orderly release of students to their parents and guardians, secure all school facilities throughout the closure period, and maintain regular communication with the state government, the Chief Inspector of Education and relevant security agencies, as well as strictly comply with any additional directives issued by the government.

Ebojele urged parents, guardians and residents of the affected communities “to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperate fully with security agencies as efforts are intensified to maintain peace and ensure public safety.”