KEY POINTS
- Gunmen abducted 23 pupils and a proprietor’s wife from an unregistered school in Kogi State.
- Security forces rescued 15 victims, while efforts continue to free the remaining eight.
- Government warned against operating illegal schools in isolated areas due to security risks.
At least 23 pupils have been abducted by armed men following an attack on a school and orphanage facility in the Zariagi area of Lokoja, Kogi State, raising fresh concerns over security in the region.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, also saw the kidnappers take away the wife of the school’s proprietor. Authorities later confirmed that the facility, identified as Dahallukitab Group of School, was operating illegally in a remote and bushy location without proper registration or oversight.
According to the Kogi State government, preliminary findings revealed that the school and orphanage were unknown to relevant authorities and lacked official approval to operate.
Kingsley Fanwo, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, said the isolated location of the facility made it particularly vulnerable to security threats.
He described the incident as unfortunate, noting that the absence of regulatory compliance contributed to the risks faced by occupants of the facility.
Police-led operation secures release of 15 victims
Following the attack, security agencies, led by the Nigeria Police Force, launched a swift response operation.
Their coordinated efforts led to the successful rescue of 15 of the abducted pupils, while operations are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining eight victims and apprehend those responsible.
The state government commended the security agencies for their quick intervention and professionalism in handling the situation.
In the aftermath of the attack, the government warned against operating schools, orphanages, and similar institutions in isolated areas without proper registration and security clearance.
Officials stressed that such practices expose children and staff to serious risks, especially amid the current security challenges across parts of the country.
Residents and operators of similar facilities have been advised to comply with regulatory requirements and work closely with government agencies to ensure safety and proper monitoring.
The incident comes shortly after another kidnapping case along the Ayere–Kabba Road in Kogi State, where armed men attacked a passenger bus traveling from Lagos to Abuja.
In that case, security operatives rescued one victim and arrested suspects linked to the attack, indicating a pattern of coordinated security responses despite rising threats.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to strengthen surveillance and prevent further incidents across the state.
