Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State have successfully rescued 17 pupils abducted from an Islamic school in Lokoja, as security agencies intensify efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims.
It was gathered on Monday that the pupils were abducted on Saturday around 11:45pm when armed men stormed Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage situated in Zariagi along NNPC Road, Kabba Junction.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afusat, stated in a release that 26 individuals—comprising 24 pupils and two wives of the proprietor—were initially taken.
Afusat explained that after the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of ‘B’ Division, Lokoja, deployed a joint security team, which resulted in the rescue of 17 victims.
“Rescue operations are ongoing by joint security operatives, comprising the police, military, and other security agencies, to secure the safe release of the remaining nine victims,” she said.
The state Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, has since visited the location and directed the deployment of tactical teams for bush combing, intelligence gathering, and surveillance.
The command assured residents that efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators, urging the public to provide credible information.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate and preventable.
The state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said security operatives acted promptly, leading to the rescue of several victims, while operations continue to free others.
He, however, expressed concern that the school was reportedly operating in a remote area without proper registration or notification to relevant authorities.
Fanwo cautioned that unregistered schools and orphanages in isolated locations pose significant security threats, especially in the current climate, and urged operators to comply with regulations.
Kidnapping for ransom remains a persistent security challenge in parts of Nigeria, with schools, religious centres, and rural communities increasingly targeted due to their vulnerability.
