By Monsurat Abisoye
Schools in parts of Nigeria were shut early on Wednesday following renewed fears of bandit attacks targeting learning institutions in Kogi, Edo and Niger states.
The development came after suspected bandits attacked the UBE Secondary/Primary School in Iluke, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three people, while intelligence reports and rumours of possible school invasions triggered panic in Edo and Niger states.
The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of schools across the country, coming just weeks after the abduction of school pupils in Oyo State drew national and international condemnation.
In Kogi State, three persons were confirmed dead after heavily armed bandits invaded Iluke community. The victims were identified as Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr Sunday Jacob Alhassan, 70; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.
The spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, Salihu Afusat, said the attack occurred at about 10:00 a.m. when security operatives received distress reports that bandits riding on about 40 motorcycles had stormed the community, allegedly intending to abduct students and residents.
According to the police, the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately mobilised personnel alongside operatives of the Police Mobile Force, tactical teams, military personnel and local vigilantes to repel the attack.
During the exchange of gunfire, one of the attackers was neutralised, while a security operative attached to the joint task force sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The police, however, stated that preliminary investigations found no conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or residents, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
In Edo State, three schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area were temporarily shut following an intelligence report from the Department of State Services warning of a planned mass abduction of schoolchildren in Edo North Senatorial District.
The DSS, in a letter dated June 5, 2026, addressed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, said two suspected bandits intercepted while conducting surveillance revealed plans to target schools after previous attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals failed.
According to the report, the suspects believed that abducting schoolchildren would attract greater government attention and increase the chances of securing large ransom payments.
The intelligence report further disclosed that one Emmanuel Momidu, 25, was apprehended on June 4 while allegedly surveilling Makeke Secondary School in Akoko-Edo.
A senior police officer in Edo State, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that security agencies had already acted on the intelligence by increasing surveillance and strengthening security around schools located near forest areas.
The officer expressed concern over the leak of the security report, stating that its public circulation could compromise ongoing security operations.
Following the alert, the Edo State Ministry of Education ordered the immediate closure of Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School.
In a circular dated June 9, 2026, signed by Enodolomwanyi Otamere on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the ministry directed that all academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools be suspended until further notice.
However, candidates sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination were permitted to continue their examinations under strict security supervision.
In Niger State, rumours of an impending terrorist attack on schools sparked panic among parents and students, leading many schools in Minna to close early.
Parents rushed to withdraw their children from schools amid fears that bandits were targeting Christian learning institutions.
A parent, Chinenye Nwadike, said she immediately contacted her husband to ensure their three children had safely returned from their Catholic schools in Bosso.
Similarly, a principal of a Catholic school, who requested anonymity, said the school received numerous calls from worried parents seeking confirmation about the safety of their children.
Another parent, Isah Usman, described the situation as frightening and urged the Niger State Government to consider declaring a public holiday to reassure residents.
The Niger State Police Command, however, dismissed the reports as false and misleading.
In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said police visits to schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sabon-Wuse and Lambata confirmed that no attacks had occurred.
The command urged residents to disregard the rumours, describing them as the handiwork of mischief makers seeking to create panic within communities and school environments.
It added that an investigation had commenced to identify and prosecute those responsible for spreading the false reports.
The police also noted that the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, had directed Divisional Police Officers to collaborate closely with school authorities to strengthen the protection of students, staff and surrounding communities.
Reacting to the Kogi attack, Amnesty International condemned the killings and called on authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice while improving security around schools and rural communities.
The organisation stressed that no child should fear violence while pursuing education.
The National Association of Okun Students also described the Iluke incident as evidence of the deteriorating security situation in Okun Land.
In a statement signed by its National President, Olu Opeyemi, the association called for an urgent security summit involving traditional rulers, political leaders, community stakeholders and security agencies to develop lasting solutions to insecurity in the region.
The group lamented the increasing frequency of kidnappings, attacks on travellers, community invasions and loss of lives, urging authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, community vigilance and rapid response mechanisms.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command dismissed reports alleging the infiltration of suspected Lukarawa terrorists into forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park.
The command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, described the reports circulating on social media as false and lacking any factual basis.
Despite dismissing the claims, the police said intelligence operatives had been strategically deployed to border communities and other vulnerable areas to reinforce security measures.
The command stated that it had intensified visibility policing, intelligence-led operations and collaboration with traditional institutions, hunters and vigilante groups to prevent any potential security threats.
Residents were advised to remain vigilant and avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary fear, disrupting economic activities and diverting security resources from genuine concerns.
The incidents across the affected states have once again raised concerns about the safety of Nigerian schools amid persistent insecurity and growing anxiety among parents and communities.
