Gunmen have abducted 23 pupils and the wife of a school proprietor in an attack on Dahallukitab Group of Schools, an orphanage and private educational facility in the Zariagi area of Lokoja Local Government Area, Kogi State.
The incident occurred late Sunday, April 26, 2026, when armed men invaded the facility, which is located in a remote and bushy part of the community.
Confirming the attack in a statement on Monday, April 27, 2026, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said security operatives were immediately deployed to the scene following the incident.
He disclosed that 15 of the abducted pupils were rescued during a swift response operation led by the police and supported by other security agencies.
Fanwo said efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining eight victims, including the proprietor’s wife, and to track down the attackers.
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He commended the prompt response of security forces, describing it as decisive and professional in managing the situation.
The commissioner also noted that preliminary findings indicated the facility was operating in an isolated area without proper registration or notification to relevant state authorities and security agencies.
He warned that schools, orphanages, and similar institutions operating in remote and unregulated environments pose serious security risks, particularly in the current security climate.
Fanwo urged operators of such facilities to comply with regulatory requirements and engage relevant authorities to ensure proper oversight and safety.
Security agencies have continued search-and-rescue operations aimed at recovering the remaining victims and apprehending those responsible for the attack.