Gunmen attacked Dahallukitab Group of Schools in Zariagi, Lokoja, late Sunday, abducting 23 pupils and the wife of the school's proprietor. The facility, operating illegally in a remote, bushy area, was not registered with the Kogi State Government or known to security agencies. Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday. Security operatives responded swiftly, rescuing 15 of the abducted pupils. The whereabouts of the remaining eight pupils and the proprietor's wife remain unknown.
Fanwo disclosed that the school was functioning outside regulatory oversight, posing serious security risks. He described the operation of unregistered institutions in isolated areas as dangerous, particularly in the current security climate. The Kogi State Government commended the police and other security agencies for their prompt response. Efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend the attackers.
Fanwo urged all operators of schools and orphanages to comply with safety regulations and engage relevant government agencies for proper oversight. He emphasized the need for registration and security assessments, warning against unauthorized operations in vulnerable locations. Security agencies continue efforts to bring the situation under control, with updates expected as operations progress.
The state acknowledges the school was operating illegally yet expects it to have been protected like a registered institution. Families of the eight still missing are left in anguish while the government highlights the facility's unauthorised status as a key detail. This shifts focus from the failure to detect an unlicensed school in a high-risk area to justifying delayed response. Nigerians in remote communities now face both criminal threats and bureaucratic blame when tragedy strikes.
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