Kogi orphanage attack: 17 pupils rescued, nine still missing

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 17 out of 26 pupils abducted during an attack on a school and orphanage facility in Lokoja.

The incident occurred on April 26, 2026, at about 11:45 pm at Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage located in the Zariagi area along the NNPC Road, Kabba Junction.

According to police, gunmen invaded the facility—also identified as Dahallukitab Group of Schools—and kidnapped several pupils alongside the wives of the proprietor, Mallam Mohammed Tanko Tajudeen.

Authorities said those abducted initially included 24 pupils and two wives of the proprietor. So far, 17 of the victims have been rescued, while nine persons—seven pupils and two wives—remain in captivity.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has visited the scene and ordered the deployment of tactical teams to intensify bush-combing, intelligence gathering, and surveillance operations aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and apprehending the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate and avoidable.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, revealed that the school was allegedly operating illegally in a remote, bushy area without proper registration or the knowledge of relevant authorities and security agencies.

Fanwo commended security operatives for their swift response, noting that their actions helped reduce the scale of the incident.

He, however, warned against the operation of unregistered schools and orphanages in isolated locations, stressing that such practices pose serious security risks.

“The operation of such facilities outside regulatory oversight not only undermines safety standards but also exposes innocent children to avoidable dangers,” he said.

The state government urged operators of schools and orphanages to comply with regulations and engage relevant authorities for proper security assessment.

It also reassured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that ongoing security operations are aimed at restoring full control of the situation.