Troops Neutralise Bandit, Foil Abduction of Pupils in Kogi School, Vice Principal Killed

• Edo closes schools as DSS warns of attacks 

•Moro alleges Benue South under siege after armed herders behead constituent

• Reps member seeks probe as Bauchi farmers/ herders clash claims nine 

•FG, EU launch fresh crackdown as abuse, violence threaten Nigerian schools’ safety

Michael Olugbode, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi, Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja and Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin

Troops of the Nigeria Army, yesterday, neutralised a bandit, who, along with his accomplices, attempted to invaded a community in Kogi State and abduct schoolchildren.

The armed bandits, however, killed Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Aharha Bunu, and two others after attacking schools at Iluke and its environs in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.

THISDAY gathered that Iluke community came under attack by armed bandits on the morning of June 10, as they attempted to abduct students writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

It was learned that the major target of the attack was UBE, Iluke Bunu, where students were sitting for their WAEC examination at the time of the invasion.

During the assault, one Mr. Gani Anifowose, who was identified as Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Aharha-Bunu, was killed alongside two other persons.

But troops of the Nigerian Army stationed at Suku-Kiri Bunu, a nearby community, swiftly responded to the distress call, arrived in Iluke Bunu, and successfully foiled what could have resulted in the mass abduction of students and staff of the school.

Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area confirmed the attack, while residents continued to express concerns over the growing insecurity in the area.

It was gathered that in the ensuing confrontation, one of the bandits was neutralised by the troops, while the remaining attackers fled the scene.

Kogi State Government said it received with deep sadness the report of the attack by criminal elements who disguised in military uniforms in a desperate attempt to deceive residents and perpetrate their evil act.

Edo Education Ministry Closes Schools as DSS Warns of Possible Abduction of Pupils

Department of State Services (DSS) warned of possible mass abduction of schoolchildren in Edo, forcing the state government to shut down some schools.

DSS raised the alarm about an alleged plot by suspected bandits to carry out a mass abduction in parts of Edo State, particularly within Edo North Senatorial District.

A security intelligence memo dated June 5, 2026, and addressed to Edo State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), indicated that security operatives intercepted communications between two suspected bandits identified as Bawa and Nuhu.

According to the document, the suspects allegedly discussed plans to target schoolchildren after previous attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals failed to yield the financial returns they expected.

The memo stated that the suspects believed that abducting pupils and students would attract greater government attention and increase the chances of securing substantial ransom payments and other concessions.

The intelligence report further disclosed that one Emmanuel Momidu, 25, was apprehended on June 4 while allegedly carrying out surveillance around Makeke Secondary School in Makeke community, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.

DSS stated that the suspect’s activities raised concerns about possible preparations for the planned operation.

Consequently, the security agency advised relevant authorities to strengthen security around schools and educational institutions across the state, with special attention on Edo North.

The memo, which was signed by B. Agada, recommended the deployment of additional security personnel to vulnerable schools and communities, as well as enhanced collaboration among security agencies, local vigilante groups, and hunters.

It also called for intensified patrols and surveillance operations in identified vulnerable areas to forestall any attempt by criminal elements to execute the alleged plot.

A circular from Edo Ministry of Education ordered the temporary closure of some schools in the state.

The circular with reference number: MOE/PS/CIR/001, and dated June, 9, 2026, addressed to the principals, Ososo Grammar School, Ososo;  Ososo Comprehensive High School, Ososo; Makeke Secondary School, Makeke, all in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state, advised a temporary closure of the schools.

The memo was signed by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Edo State, Enodolomwanyi Otamere.

Titled, “Temporary Closure of Schools Due to Security Concerns,” the circular stated in part,

“The Ministry of Education has received intelligence reports and advisories from relevant security agencies regarding credible threats to the safety of students, staff, and school communities in some parts of Akoko Edo Local Government Area.

“Consequently, and in line with Government’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, approval has been granted for the temporary closure of the following schools with immediate effect: Ososo Grammar School, Ososo; Ososo Comprehensive High School, Ososo; and Makeke Secondary School, Makeke.

“Accordingly, 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.”

The Edo State government also said yesterday that it was making security issues top priority considering the level of insecurity in the country.

Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, said the state government was not resting on its oars in tackling insecurity in the state.

In a joint press briefing with Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, and Commissioner for Transport, Saturday Iyalekhue, Ebea stated that in the attempts to tackle insecurity in the state over 1,000 forest guards had been deployed to secure communities.

He said the state government had engaged 500 guards to secure the bushes across the state while the federal government recently approved additional 500, totalling 1,000.

Moro Alleges Benue South Under Siege as Armed Herders Behead Constituent

 Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, said Benue South Senatorial District was under siege after armed herders beheaded a constituent and fled with the head.

Moro raised the alarm in a personal explanation on the floor of the senate, identifying the victim as Mr. Ujema Emi, a public health worker, who was ambushed and killed at the Ubube Road Junction in the Ikobi area.

“One of my constituents, Ujema Emi, a public health worker, was murdered in cold blood. Ujema Emi was reportedly ambushed, killed and beheaded. The severed head was taken away by the assailants,” Moro told his colleagues.

The senator described the Ubube Junction axis, along the Ikobi-Ulegapa road, as one of several flashpoints where suspected armed herders frequently attacked commuters and residents, warning that the situation has deteriorated beyond the capacity of local security structures.

“Benue South is literally under siege,” he declared.

Moro accused Benue State Government of indifference to the suffering of affected communities.

“Unfortunately, the Benue State government appears indifferent to the plight of my people,” he said.

Reps Seek Probe as Farmers-Herders Clash Claims Nine in Bauchi

House of Representatives called for a thorough investigation into the recent farmers-herders clash in Lanzai and Dosho communities of Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State, which reportedly left nine persons dead.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Mansur Manu Soro.

Moving the motion, Soro said the violence, which occurred last Wednesday, led to the death of nine persons, injuries to several residents, destruction of property, and the burning of about 50 residential huts.

He said the incident had displaced many families and exposed women, children, and the elderly to severe humanitarian conditions.

The lawmaker expressed concern over the recurring nature of farmers-herders conflicts across the country, stating that such clashes continue to threaten national security, agricultural productivity, and economic development.

He said, “The incident has displaced numerous families, exposed vulnerable persons including women, children and the elderly to severe humanitarian conditions and heightened tension among affected communities.”

Soro stressed the need for swift intervention by security agencies and humanitarian organisations to prevent further escalation of the crisis and restore confidence among residents.

He also warned that failure to investigate the violence and bring perpetrators to justice could encourage reprisals and further attacks.

FG, EU Launch Fresh Crackdown as Abuse, Violence Threaten Nigerian Schools’ Safety

 Schools across Nigeria are becoming unsafe environments where children face abuse, exploitation, and violence, prompting fresh intervention by the federal government and international partners to strengthen accountability and justice for survivors.

Alarmed by the growing prevalence of school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV) and the challenges victims encounter in seeking justice, stakeholders from the justice, education and child protection sectors have commenced coordinated efforts aimed at improving the prosecution of offenders and strengthening institutional responses to cases involving children.

The renewed commitment was underscored on Tuesday in Abuja during the First Training of Trainers Workshop on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Legal Pathway for the Prosecution of Perpetrators of School-Related Gender-Based Violence.

The initiative, organised under the European Union-supported programme to end sexual and gender-based violence, and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), in partnership with Federal Ministry of Justice, brought together officials from key government ministries, security agencies, child protection bodies, and civil society organisations.

Participants warned that violence within schools was taking multiple forms, including sexual harassment, abuse, bullying, corporal punishment, exploitation, and technology-facilitated violence, leaving lasting scars on victims and undermining confidence in educational institutions.

Speaking at the event, Gender-Based Violence Policy and Strategy Development Specialist for the programme, Melissa Omene, described the situation as a major threat to the country’s education system.

In her remarks, Head of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Unit at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Yewande Gbola-Awopetu, said the protection of children required a united and coordinated response from all institutions.

Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Education, Apakasa Augustina, disclosed that the SOP document had already been distributed to all 115 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.

Executive Director of Protect the Child Foundation, Elizabeth Achimugu, stated that many cases failed to progress beyond the reporting stage because frontline officers often lacked sufficient knowledge of legal procedures and prosecution processes.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, civil society groups, and law enforcement authorities would help close longstanding justice gaps, improve prosecution rates, and restore schools as safe environments where children could learn and thrive without fear.