Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted 23 pupils and the wife of the proprietor of Dahallukitab Group of School, Zariagi, a settlement after Kabba Junction along Lokoja- Okene road in Adavi Local Government in Kogi state
The report from the area on Monday noted that the incident happened at the late hours on Sunday, when the armed hoodlums invaded the premises of the school and abducted the victims to unknown destination, amidst sporadic shooting.
According to the residents, the Dahallukitab Group of Schools runs its facility for both orphanage and school in the community.
“It was unbelievable for hoodlums to attack an orphanage home. We started hearing the noise of gunfire around 10.30pm from that area.
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“We are hearing this morning that the gunmen attacked the orphanage home, School, and pupils were kidnapped, including the wife of the proprietor of the school and aides/ staff”, said a resident of the neighbouring village who did want to be named.
In a swift reaction, the Kogi State Government condemned the attack on the orphanage and school facility, describing the incident as unfortunate and avoidable.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that 15 pupils have been rescued following the swift intervention of security agencies.
“The incident occurred late on April 26, 2026, when unknown gunmen invaded the premises and abducted 23 pupils alongside the wife of the proprietor,” the statement read.
He said efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims, stressing that Security operatives, led by the Nigeria Police Force, and supported by other agencies responded promptly, leading to the rescue of 15 of the victims.
Fanwo commended the gallantry and professionalism of the security agencies, noting that their swift and coordinated response significantly curtailed the impact of the attack.
However, the government raised concerns over the operation of unregistered institutions in isolated locations.
He warned that establishing orphanages, schools, and similar facilities in vulnerable areas without proper registration and notification to authorities poses serious security risks, especially in the prevailing security environment.
“The operation of such facilities outside regulatory oversight not only undermines safety standards but also exposes innocent children to avoidable dangers”, the statement stressed.
The government, therefore, urged operators of orphanages and schools to comply strictly with existing regulations and engage relevant authorities for proper security assessment and protection.
The Kogi state police command is yet to issue a statement over the incident.
However, the state police command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat was contacted via text message and call regarding the development but had not responded as of the time of filing this report.
