All 23 Victims Rescued After Kidnap Attack on Kogi Islamic Orphanage

All of the victims kidnapped from the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage in Lokoja have been safely rescued, according to the Kogi administration.

Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, confirmed this in a statement released in Lokoja on Wednesday.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on April 26, gunmen stormed the orphanage and kidnapped 23 students, including the owner's wife.

On April 27, the administration said that 15 people had been rescued as a result of increased security measures around the state.

According to Fanwo, a rescue operation carried out in the early hours of Wednesday resulted in the release of the remaining nine victims.

He characterized the outcome as both a relief to the impacted families and a significant breakthrough against criminal elements operating within the state.

He claims that with assistance from other security authorities, soldiers from the Nigerian Army's 12 Brigade spearheaded the coordinated search and rescue effort.

Five boys, two girls, and two adult females were safely recovered from the operation, which took place in the Agbaja Forest axis of Lokoja Local Government Area.

"After being evacuated to a military medical facility, the rescued victims are receiving appropriate medical care and attention," Fanwo stated.

Ahmed Ododo, the governor of the state, commended the professionalism and bravery of Nigerian Army officers and people as well as cooperating security agencies.

The victims' and their families' perseverance during the horrific event was also praised by the governor.

"Our administration's top priority continues to be everyone's safety and security."

"This successful operation demonstrates our commitment to preventing criminal elements from establishing a presence in Kogi."

Ododo declared, "We will continue to strengthen our security architecture, deepen intelligence gathering, and support security agencies to act swiftly and decisively."

Additionally, the governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support of initiatives aimed at maintaining stability and security in Kogi.

He praised national security agency leaders for their ongoing collaboration and well-coordinated reaction to violent incidents.

He restated Kogi's state government's zero-tolerance policy for kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Ododo advised locals to maintain their vigilance and provide security agents with timely and reliable information that can stop such attacks.

He reassured the people that measures were being made to apprehend the offenders and make sure they were held accountable.