Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army successfully foiled an attempt by heavily armed terrorists to abduct pupils of Iluke Primary School in the Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday.
One terrorist was neutralized during the operation, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. However, before the military arrived at the scene, the attackers killed a schoolteacher and a local resident.
According to military officials, the terrorists had disguised themselves in military uniforms to infiltrate the Iluke community. Acting on credible, real-time intelligence provided by vigilant community members, troops on patrol swiftly mobilized to the school, where the gunmen had already gathered the pupils for abduction.
”On arrival, troops discovered that the terrorists had already assembled pupils of Iluke Primary School with the intention of abducting them,” said Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Brigade. “Without delay, the troops engaged the terrorists, compelling them to abandon their mission and flee the area.”
The prompt intervention of the military prevented a large-scale kidnapping.
Security forces have launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing bandits. Because the community shares borders with Kwara and Niger states, neighboring security agencies have been alerted to block potential escape routes.
Military authorities have assured residents that additional security measures have been put in place to deny criminal elements freedom of action and prevent future attacks. They further urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to assist security agencies in their operations.