Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has condemned the deadly attack on Iluke-Bunu community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, where a vice principal and two others were killed and students abducted during Wednesday’s assault on a WAEC examination centre.
The senator described the incident as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” amid growing concern over renewed insecurity targeting rural communities and schools in Kogi State.
The attack, which disrupted the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), has continued to spark outrage across the state, with residents and stakeholders calling for stronger security presence around vulnerable communities.
Karimi, in a statement, praised the efforts of security operatives who engaged the attackers but insisted that more proactive measures were needed to prevent repeated assaults on civilian targets.
He said the persistent wave of violence in parts of Kogi West had left residents in fear and disrupted socio-economic activities, particularly in agrarian and rural settlements now increasingly exposed to armed groups.
According to him, the latest invasion reflects a disturbing pattern of attacks aimed at destabilising peaceful communities and instilling fear among residents.
“In recent weeks, peaceful neighbourhoods in Kogi West have witnessed a disturbing rise in armed attacks, kidnappings and destruction of property,” he said, adding that stakeholders must intensify collaboration to halt the trend.
The lawmaker assured residents that efforts were underway at different levels of government to strengthen security operations and ensure that those responsible are tracked down and brought to justice.
He also called for improved coordination between security agencies and local communities, noting that timely intelligence sharing remains critical in preventing further attacks.
Karimi extended condolences to the families of victims killed during the Iluke-Bunu assault and expressed sympathy to those affected by the abductions, urging calm as security operations continue.
The attack has heightened fears over the safety of schools in rural parts of Kogi State, particularly during examination periods, with renewed calls for urgent reinforcement of school protection measures and rapid deployment of security personnel to vulnerable areas.
Security agencies are yet to provide full details on the whereabouts of the abducted students, as search-and-rescue operations continue in surrounding forests. :::