Gunmen launched a late-night raid on the Dahallukitab Group of Schools in Zariagi on Sunday, abducting 23 pupils and the wife of the school’s proprietor.
The attack on the combined orphanage and educational facility sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an immediate mobilization of regional security forces.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the incident on Monday, noting that the state’s rapid response protocols were activated as soon as the alarm was raised.
In a swift counter-operation, security operatives successfully rescued 15 of the kidnapped pupils shortly after the abduction. Commissioner Fanwo praised the “gallantry and professionalism” of the Police and collaborating agencies for their decisive action in the wake of the crisis.
While more than half of the victims have been returned to safety, a dedicated search-and-rescue mission remains active to secure the release of the remaining eight victims and the proprietor’s wife.
The Kogi State Government has since revealed that the facility was operating illegally, lacking official registration and oversight from state education and security authorities. “The facility was operating in a remote, bushy environment without the knowledge of relevant authorities,” Fanwo stated, adding that the school’s isolation made it an easy target for criminal elements.
This discovery has prompted a stern warning from the government regarding the dangers of operating unauthorized institutions in secluded areas.
Moving forward, the state government is emphasizing that all schools and orphanages must adhere to strict registration guidelines to ensure the safety of staff and children.
Authorities have vowed to continue their pursuit of the kidnappers until all victims are accounted for and the perpetrators are brought to justice. In the meantime, security patrols have been bolstered across the Zariagi axis to prevent further incursions and restore a sense of calm to the local population.
