Police in Kogi State have rescued 17 pupils who were abducted from an Islamic school in Lokoja, as security agencies continue efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims.
The kidnapping occurred late Saturday night, around 11:45 pm, when gunmen stormed Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage in Zariagi, along NNPC Road at Kabba Junction.
According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afusat, a total of 26 people—24 pupils and two wives of the school proprietor—were taken during the attack.
Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer for ‘B’ Division, Lokoja, led a joint security operation that resulted in the rescue of 17 victims. Afusat said rescue operations involving police, military, and other security agencies remain ongoing to free the remaining nine captives.
Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, has visited the scene and ordered the deployment of tactical teams to comb the surrounding bushes, gather intelligence, and increase surveillance.
The police command assured the public that efforts are underway to secure the remaining victims and arrest those responsible. Residents have been urged to provide credible information to assist in the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government condemned the attack, calling it both unfortunate and avoidable. State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, noted that security forces responded promptly, which led to the rescue of several abductees. He also highlighted concerns that the school was reportedly operating in a remote area without proper registration or notifying authorities.
Fanwo warned that unregistered schools and orphanages in isolated areas pose significant security threats, particularly given the current security situation, and called on operators to adhere to regulatory requirements.
Kidnapping for ransom remains a persistent security challenge in parts of Nigeria, with schools, religious centers, and rural communities increasingly targeted due to their vulnerability.
