Troops of 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army under 2 Division, have disrupted an attempted abduction of pupils at Iluke Community in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The suspects, who reportedly wore military uniforms, were stopped during the operation.
In a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the Army said the incident occurred on 10 June 2026 following credible intelligence from residents who observed suspicious movements and alerted troops on patrol.
Acting on the report, soldiers moved quickly to the area to intercept the armed group before the planned abduction could be executed. On arrival, the troops found that pupils of Iluke Primary School had already been gathered by the attackers with the intention of taking them away.
The troops engaged the armed men on sight, forcing them to abandon the mission and escape with gunshot wounds. One of the attackers was killed during the encounter.
The statement added that two civilians—a teacher and a resident—were killed before the arrival of the troops. The Army described the incident as a violent attack on innocent members of the community.
The swift response of the troops prevented what could have turned into a mass abduction of schoolchildren. The Army said the operation reflects its ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable communities within its area of responsibility.
According to the statement, Troops are currently tracking the fleeing suspects. Security formations in neighbouring areas, including Kwarra and Niger State, have also been alerted to block possible escape routes. Residents have been urged to continue sharing timely and credible information with security agencies to support ongoing operations against armed groups.