Police in Nigeria say they have rescued 17 pupils after gunmen attacked a school and orphanage in Kogi State, abducting dozens of people.
The Kogi State Police Command said the incident took place late on Sunday night at Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage in the Zariagi area of Lokoja.
According to police, the attackers kidnapped 26 people, including 24 pupils and two women believed to be wives of the school’s proprietor, and took them to an unknown location.
In a statement released on Monday, police spokesperson Saliu Afusat said officers responded quickly after receiving a report of the attack.
“The Divisional Police Officer in charge of ‘B’ Division Lokoja swiftly mobilised a joint team of security operatives and proceeded to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment,” he said.
He added that security forces immediately launched a coordinated rescue operation.
“Through these efforts, seventeen (17) of the abducted pupils have been successfully rescued,” the statement said.
Authorities say efforts are continuing to locate and free the remaining nine victims, including seven pupils and the two women.
“Rescue operations are ongoing by joint security operatives comprising the police, military and other security agencies,” Mr Afusat said. “Efforts are being intensified to secure the safe release of the remaining victims.”
The state’s police commissioner, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has also visited the scene and ordered the deployment of additional tactical teams.
“The command assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims,” the statement added.
Police have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist in the operation.
Kidnappings by armed groups remain a concern in parts of Nigeria, particularly in schools and remote communities, where such attacks have occurred in recent years.
