Schools in various parts of the country closed early on Wednesday due to widespread worries of bandit assaults.
The schools were abruptly closed following a bandit raid on the UBE Secondary/Primary School in Iluke, Kogi State, and a threat of invasion at learning centers in Edo and Niger states.
This comes just a few weeks after schoolchildren were kidnapped in Oyo, prompting national and international condemnation of the country’s deteriorating security situation.
Suspected bandits stormed the UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke, in Kogi State’s Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, killing at least three people.
Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, vice principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School; Mr. Sunday Alhassan, 70; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele were killed in the incident.
The incident was confirmed in a statement by Salihu Afusat, spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command.
During the exchange of gunfire, the police revealed that one of the terrorists was neutralized, while a security operator linked to the joint team sustained bullet wounds and is presently receiving medical attention.
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 mobilizing 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 results show that there was no solid proof of a successful mass abduction of pupils or other citizens.
However, investigations and examinations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances behind the tragedy.
“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.
Three schools in Edo State were closed after a Department of State Security intelligence report revealed that bandits were planning a mass abduction of schoolchildren, particularly in the Edo North Senatorial District.
In a letter dated June 5, 2026, the secret police urged the state commandant of the Nigeria Protection and Civil Defense Corps to increase protection around the area’s schools.
The DSS stated that 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 in Makeke Community, Akoko Edo LGA.”
However, a top officer in the Edo State Police Command, who requested anonymity, stated that the command has already responded to the information and questioned how the security report reached the public.
The officer stated that they receive various security reports, which usually dictate the steps they do about 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 Local Government Area.
The State Ministry of Education announced this in a circular dated June 9, 2026, which was sent to reporters in Benin City.
According to the statement, the schools were closed after the DSS raised a security alarm.
Enodolomwanyi Otamere signed the message on behalf of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, and it was sent to the principals of the affected schools.
The government, however, recommended that candidates currently taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination be allowed to sit for their exams under strict security conditions.
“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.
On Wednesday, schoolchildren in Minna, Niger State, were sent home due to concerns of an imminent attack.
A mom identified as Chinenye Nwadike stated that when she learned of the purported terrorist 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 after I learned 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 learned 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 spoke on the condition of 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 rumor 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.”
Meanwhile, Wasiu Abiodun, spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, issued a statement dismissing 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 the 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.
“The Police Command urges members of the public to disregard this false information, which is suspected to have originated from mischief makers to cause panic and fear in the public and school environment.
“However, an intelligence investigation has commenced to unravel the source of the false report and identify and arrest the mischief makers.”
It further noted that Adamu Elleman, the state commissioner of police, had previously urged divisional police officers to collaborate closely with school administration to safeguard the safety of children, faculty, and the community.
Amnesty International denounced the horrific attack in the Iluke community and urged authorities to bring those responsible to justice as soon as possible while also strengthening protections for schools, children, and rural communities.
“No child should have to fear violence while pursuing education,’’ the organization said.
Similarly, the National Association of Okun Students has called the incident a troubling indication of the deteriorating security situation in Okun Land.
The group demanded an immediate revamp of the region’s security architecture, encouraging traditional rulers, government office holders, security agencies, and community leaders to organize a security conference to confront the mounting threat posed by criminal elements.
In a statement issued by its National President, Olu Opeyemi, the group voiced alarm over the increasing number of kidnappings, killings, attacks on travelers, and invasions of towns around the region.
“The frequency of these attacks is becoming unbearable. Hardly a week passes without reports of kidnappings, attacks on travelers, invasions of communities, and loss of lives. Our people deserve to live in peace and carry out their daily activities without fear of being attacked by criminal elements,” Opeyemi said.
According to him, the current attack highlights the critical need for stakeholders to move beyond hyperbole and build a coordinated response to the area’s security challenges.
The NAOS president urged traditional rulers, elected officials, community leaders, and security services to hold an urgent strategic security conference to build a comprehensive and long-term framework for addressing insecurity in Okun villages.
“We need to act now. Every day of delay exposes more innocent people to danger. Our traditional rulers, political leaders, and security agencies must work together to design practical solutions that will strengthen intelligence gathering, community vigilance, rapid response mechanisms, and collaboration with security operatives,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has refuted rumors of terrorist movement into Ogbomoso, warning against spreading unverified information.
Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, revealed this in a statement on Wednesday, in response to a video and accompanying voice note circulating on various social media platforms, alleging the movement and infiltration of suspected Lukarawa terrorists into forests near Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park.
The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to address and clarify a video and accompanying voice note currently circulating across various social media platforms alleging the movement and infiltration of suspected Lukarawa terrorists into forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park.
“The Command unequivocally rejects and dismisses the claims contained in the said video and voice note as false, misleading, and entirely without factual basis.
“Comprehensive intelligence assessments and security reports available to the command do not support nor suggest the existence of any such terrorist movement or infiltration within the areas mentioned.’’
It added, “Notwithstanding the falsity of the report, the Oyo State Police Command remains proactive and resolute in its commitment to the safety and security of all residents of the state.
“Consequently, intelligence and covert operatives have been strategically deployed to border communities and other vulnerable locations within the affected axis to further strengthen the robust security architecture and early warning mechanisms already in place.
“The deployed operatives are working in close synergy with existing local security structures, community-based intelligence networks, traditional institutions, hunters, vigilante groups, and other critical stakeholders to ensure enhanced intelligence gathering, prompt information sharing, and swift response to any emerging security concerns.
“In addition, the Command has significantly increased visibility policing, confidence-building patrols, intelligence-led stop-and-search operations, and strategic deployments across Ogbomoso, the Old Oyo National Park axis, and adjoining border communities.
“These measures are aimed at reassuring residents, deterring criminal elements, and maintaining the prevailing peace and security within the area.”
The police therefore urged members of the public, particularly residents of border communities and rural settlements, to remain vigilant and security-conscious.
“Such false reports are capable of creating unnecessary panic, generating fear among law-abiding citizens, undermining public confidence, disrupting economic activities, and diverting security resources from genuine security concerns.’’
