The Kogi state police command says it has rescued 17 pupils following an attack by gunmen on an orphanage and school facility in the Zariagi area of Lokoja.
A statement issued on Monday by Saliu Afusat, the command’s public relations officer, said the incident occurred on Sunday at about 11:45 pm at Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage.
According to the statement, some gunmen invaded the premises and abducted 26 persons, including 24 pupils and two wives of the proprietor, taking them to an unknown destination.
Afusat said that when the command received the report, “the Divisional Police Officer in charge of ‘B’ Division Lokoja swiftly mobilized a joint team of security operatives and proceeded to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment”.
“The operatives immediately mapped out strategies and commenced coordinated rescue operations. Through these efforts, seventeen (17) of the abducted pupils/students have been successfully rescued,” the statement reads.
“Rescue operations are ongoing by joint security operatives comprising the Police, Military, and other security agencies, with concerted efforts being intensified to secure the safe release of the remaining nine (9) victims, consisting of seven (7) pupils and the two (2) wives of the proprietor.”
Afusat added that Naziru Bello Kankarofi, the Kogi state commissioner of police, has visited the scene and ordered the deployment of tactical teams to strengthen bush-combing, intelligence gathering, and surveillance operations aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and apprehending the perpetrators.
“The Command assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims. Members of the public are urged to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid the ongoing operation,” the statement added.
The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements through the command’s control room numbers: 0703 832 9084 and 0815 219 5982.
