Vigilante Action Thwarts Bandit Attack on Kiri High School, Kogi State

A vigilante group in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, stopped a bandit raid on Kiri High School yesterday, preventing the kidnapping of students. The bandits had previously abducted 25 schoolgirls from Government Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, and over 300 pupils from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State. All of those abducted have since been released.

Members of the Kiri Vigilante Group quickly mobilised when the bandits entered the school premises. They confronted the attackers, rescued the students, and secured the area. No pupils remained in captivity after the operation. The rescue came at a cost: one vigilante member was killed while defending the community, and a Hausa resident died from stray bullets.

The chairman of Kabba Bunu LGA, Zaccheus Dare Michael, confirmed the attack and the successful repulsion of the bandits. In a statement, his chief press secretary, Omofa John, said the joint task force and local vigilantes are continuing to search the surrounding bush for the attackers and that normalcy has been restored.

Rev John Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 northern states and the FCT, reported that a parent of three children abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State died of a heart attack after learning of the kidnapping. He described the emotional toll on families and called for concrete security action.

CAN’s national body urged the federal government to take urgent, excuse‑free measures to protect citizens, warning that the rising wave of attacks threatens the nation’s soul. Archbishop Daniel Okoh, president of CAN, made the appeal at the 32nd Triennial General Assembly of the Christian Council of Nigeria in Abuja, citing the constitutional and moral duty of the state to safeguard lives without discrimination.

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike said he would not spare officials who issued an unauthorised circular ordering the shutdown of schools in Abuja following recent attacks. He described the directive as “shocking and irresponsible,” noted that no such order had been approved, and announced the suspension of the Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr Danlami Hayyo, pending further sanctions.

The Senate held a heated debate on the worsening security situation. Senators warned that the nation is “under attack” and urged immediate creation of a joint task force for the Kwara‑Kogi corridor, a known escape route for bandits. The House of Representatives also condemned negotiations with bandits, warning that such talks could fuel further violence

Former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar criticised the government’s “non‑kinetic” approach, saying terrorists and bandits are operating as an alternate government under President Bola Tinubu. He called the administration’s statements “propaganda” and urged real protection for Nigerians.

The situation remains tense as security forces continue operations to apprehend the perpetrators and restore confidence in the affected areas.