A vigilante group in Aiyetoro Kiri, under Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Wednesday averted an attempted abduction of students after armed bandits invaded Kiri High School.
Local security volunteers were said to have mobilised quickly and confronted the attackers as they advanced on the community school. According to community sources, all students who were initially seized during the attack were successfully rescued following the swift intervention.
However, the operation resulted in two fatalities — a vigilante member who was killed while defending the community and a Hausa resident who died after being hit by a stray bullet.
Attempts to reach the state police command for official confirmation were unsuccessful, but the Chairman of Kabba/Bunu LGA, Zaccheus Dare Michael, confirmed the incident in a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Omofa John.
He stated:
“The attention of the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area authority has been drawn to reports circulating around social media platforms regarding the attack at Kiri Axis of Bunu District.
In the interest of clarity and public understanding, we wish to formally state some facts.
“The bandits attacked, and they were resisted and repel by our team of security men. Though, there are casualties, including one hunter and one Hausa, killed by stray bullets.
“As we speak, the Joint Task Force had intensified operations with the aim to restore confidence in the area.
“However, the government warned the members of the public and those on social media to stop sending unverified news to the social media, otherwise, they will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The joint teams of security tactical units and local vigilantes are currently combing the surrounding bushes for the bandits.
“A thorough operation is ongoing, and normalcy has been restored to the axis. The situation is under strict monitoring.”
