Officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State have rescued 17 pupils abducted from an Islamic school in Lokoja, as a joint security operation continues to secure the release of the remaining victims.
The pupils were kidnapped on April 26 at about 11:45 p.m. when armed men invaded Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage located in Zariagi along the NNPC Road, Kabba Junction.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afusat, a total of 26 persons—including 24 pupils and two wives of the school proprietor- were initially taken away by the gunmen.
Afusat said operatives from the ‘B’ Division Lokoja, working alongside other security agencies, immediately launched a coordinated response that led to 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 stated.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, has visited the scene and ordered intensified tactical operations, including bush combing, intelligence gathering, and surveillance to track down the attackers.
The police command assured residents that efforts were in top gear to rescue the remaining hostages and bring the perpetrators to justice, urging members of the public to provide credible intelligence.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate and preventable.
Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said security operatives responded swiftly, leading to the rescue of some victims, while efforts continue to free the rest.
He also raised concerns over the alleged operation of the school in a remote area without proper registration or notification to the relevant authorities.
Fanwo warned that unregistered schools and orphanages in isolated locations pose serious security risks in the current climate, urging strict compliance with regulatory guidelines.
Kidnapping for ransom remains a persistent security challenge across parts of Nigeria, with schools, religious centers, and rural communities frequently targeted due to their vulnerability.
