Kogi State Security Forces Rescue Fifteen Students Following Gunmen Assault on Unregistered Lokoja Orphanage

Fifteen pupils rescued in Kogi State after gunmen raid an unregistered school in Zariagi. Seven remain missing as government warns against illegal facilities.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 27, 2026, 7:42 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from GUARDIAN Newspapers

Swift Intervention Amidst Rural Incursion

A coordinated response by the Nigeria Police Force and supporting security agencies has led to the recovery of 15 children following a violent abduction in Kogi State. Late on April 26, 2026, armed assailants invaded the Dahallukitab Group of School, a facility doubling as an orphanage located near the Kabba Junction axis of Lokoja. While the initial attack resulted in the seizure of 23 pupils and the proprietor’s wife, the immediate mobilization of tactical teams allowed for the successful extraction of a majority of the victims from the captors.

The Perils of Unregulated Educational Facilities

Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, highlighted significant regulatory failures that contributed to the vulnerability of the site. The facility was identified as an unregistered entity operating without the knowledge of the State Government or local security apparatus. By establishing a school and orphanage in a remote, isolated, and bushy location, the operators allegedly bypassed safety standards and mandatory security assessments, leaving the resident minors exposed to the prevailing risks of the region’s security environment.

Ongoing Search for Missing Captives

Despite the rescue of 15 minors, the Kogi State Government confirmed that seven individuals are still unaccounted for following the late night raid. Security operations remain active in the Zariagi area, with operatives intensifying their search through the surrounding terrain to locate the remaining pupils and the proprietor’s wife. Official statements describe the incident as avoidable, stressing that the lack of registration prevented the deployment of routine patrols or the implementation of state sanctioned protective measures for the vulnerable children.