The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 17 out twenty six persons kidnapped at Daarul Kitab School, an Islamic institution with an attached orphanage home, located in an isolated area at Zariagi along NNPC Road, Kabba Junction, Lokoja.
According the command spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, available information indicates that unknown gunmen invaded the premises on Sunday evening and abducted a total of twenty-six persons, comprising twenty-four pupils/students and 2 wives of the proprietor, Mallam Mohammed Tanko Tajudeen, to an unknown destination.
ASp Salihu said upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of ‘B’ Division Lokoja swiftly mobilized a joint team of security operatives and proceeded to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
“The operatives immediately mapped out strategies and commenced coordinated rescue operations. Through these efforts, seventeen (17) of the abducted pupils/students have been successfully rescued. Rescue operations are ongoing by joint security operatives comprising the Police, Military, and other security agencies, with concerted efforts being intensified to secure the safe release of the remaining nine (9) victims, consisting of seven (7) pupils and the two (2) wives of the proprietor,” she said.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has visited the scene of the incident and ordered massive deployment of tactical teams to strengthen ongoing bush combing, intelligence gathering, and surveillance operations aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and apprehending the perpetrators.
The Command assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims.
Members of the public were urged to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid the ongoing operation.
The Command further encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or information that could assist ongoing operations through the Command’s Control Room Numbers: 0703 832 9084 and 0815 219 5982.
“All information will be treated with strict confidentiality. Further developments will be communicated as they unfold,” the spokesperson added.
