Police Rescue 17 Abducted Pupils In Kogi

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 17 pupils abducted at Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an orphanage, located on NNPC Road, in Zariagi, Kabba Junction, Lokoja, the state capital.

The incident occurred on Sunday at about 11:45 p.m. when the gunmen stormed the premises and abducted a total of 26 persons.

The victims included 24 pupils and two wives of the school’s proprietor, Mallam Mohammed Tanko Tajudeen.

According to the police, the divisional police officer (DPO) of ‘B’ Division, Lokoja, swiftly mobilised a joint team of security personnel upon receiving the report.

The police said the team conducted an on-the-spot assessment and launched coordinated rescue operations.

According to the DPO, the efforts led to the rescue of 17 of the abducted pupils.

“Security operations are ongoing, with a combined team of police, military personnel and other security agencies to secure the release of the remaining nine victims, comprising seven pupils and the two women,” he said.

The commissioner of police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has visited the scene and directed the deployment of additional tactical teams to the area.

The CP also ordered bush combing, intelligence gathering and surveillance operations aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

He advised the residents to report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines: 0703 832 9084 and 0815 219 5982, with assurances that all information will be treated confidentially.