Terrorists have stormed Daarul Kitab, an Islamic school and orphanage in Kogi State, abducting 24 pupils and two relatives of the school’s proprietor.
Following the incident, the Kogi police spokesperson Saliu Afusat said terrorists broke into a school along NNPC Road, Kabba Junction in Zariagi, a suburb of Lokoja, at about 11:45 p.m. on April 26.
She also disclosed that the gunmen forced their way into the building and abducted 26 people, including two wives of Mohammed Tajudeen and 24 students.
She added that a joint security team made up of the military, police, and other agencies was immediately dispatched to the scene.
17 Victims Rescued
Sources have however revealed that officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State have rescued 17 pupils abducted from the Islamic school in Lokoja.
She said, “Through these efforts, 17 of the abducted pupils have been successfully rescued.” Adding that operations are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims.
She also noted that those still in captivity include seven pupils and the two wives of the proprietor.
According to Ms. Afusat, Naziru Kankarofi, the state’s commissioner of police, visited the location and gave the order to deploy more tactical teams in order to step up surveillance, intelligence gathering, and bush-combing.
School operating illegally
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government confirmed the incident and stated that the school operated in a vulnerable, remote area and did not undergo regulatory inspection.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the school’s location raised safety concerns.
He said, “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.”
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