Terrorists have invaded Daarul Kitab, an Islamic school and orphanage located along NNPC Road, Kabba Junction in Zariagi, a suburb of Lokoja, Kogi State kidnapping 24 pupils and two relatives of the school’s proprietor.
Penpushing reports that the Kogi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Afusat Saliu in a statement said the terrorists attacked the school at about 11:45 p.m. on April 26, 2026 and abducted 26 persons, including 24 pupils and two wives of the proprietor, Mohammed Tajudeen.
The police spokesperson explained that a joint security team comprising the police, military, and other agencies was immediately deployed to the area after the incident was reported.
“Through these efforts, 17 of the abducted pupils have been successfully rescued,” she said, adding that operations are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims, Saliu stated.
Penpushing further reports that she pointed out that those still in captivity include seven pupils and the two wives of the proprietor, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, visited the scene and ordered the deployment of additional tactical teams to intensify bush-combing, surveillance, and intelligence gathering.
The Kogi state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo equally confirmed the incident, describing the facility as operating outside regulatory oversight and located in a vulnerable, isolated area.
“The facility was operating illegally in a remote, bushy environment without registration with the state government and without the knowledge of relevant authorities and security agencies,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that Fanwo said efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and track down the attackers, while warning operators of schools and orphanages against setting up such facilities in isolated locations without proper authorisation.
The commissioner emphasized that such practices expose children and residents to avoidable risks, especially given the prevailing security situation, however, as at the time of filing this report no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
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